The technical condition of the engineering infrastructure of irrigation systems in Ukraine in the post-war period

Abstract

Goal. To develop the scientific principles of the restoration of the technical condition of the engineering infrastructure of irrigation systems in Ukraine in the post-war period. Methods. Theoretical generalization, statistical and expert analyses. Results. In connection with the progressive dehydration of the territory of Ukraine as a result of climate change, the feasibility and possibility of a significant (by 1.1–1.4 million ha) increase in the irrigated area by restoring the technical condition of the existing engineering infrastructure of irrigation systems are substantiated. It is shown that the state of crisis with the use of this infrastructure was formed due to the physical deterioration and improper level of operation of state-owned inter-farm networks, as well as the lack of an effective owner due to the uncertainty of ownership of intra-farm networks, which led to their significant destruction and plundering, made it impossible to use for irrigation on two-thirds of their available area. In connection with the above, in recent years, in Ukraine, under the technical capabilities of inter-farm networks to collect and supply water for irrigation on an area of at least 1.2–1.5 million hectares (excluding the Autonomous Republic of Crimea), no more than 550,000 hectares was irrigated annually (before the start of full-scale military aggression of Russian Federation), which is not enough for irrigated lands to act as a compensator for the negative impact of climate change on the sustainability of agriculture. It was established that the main reason for the inefficient use of the available irrigation potential was the outdated system of water resources management and land reclamation, which did not change since “Soviet” times. It is proposed to increase the area of irrigation through the implementation of investment projects for the reconstruction and modernization of the existing infrastructure of irrigation systems against the background of the anticipatory implementation of the institutional reform of the system of water resources management and land reclamation in accordance with the objectives of the Strategy of Irrigation and Drainage in Ukraine for the period until 2030 and the Plan of measures for its implementation. It was determined that water user organizations and operators should develop investment projects in accordance with the data of the inventory of the engineering infrastructure of irrigation systems and irrigated lands for inter- and intra-farm networks separately, taking into account the available volumes of water, assuming into these projects an increase in the efficiency of the use of irrigation water, energy and environmental safety of irrigation. This can be achieved by transferring irrigation to the predominant use of drip irrigation, low-intensity, and low-pressure irrigation, the latest types of pumping equipment with adjustable drives, geomembrane anti-filtration coverings of channels, compensatory ecologically safe irrigation modes, information technologies for managing water distribution and irrigation processes. Restoration of irrigated areas following the objectives of the Strategy in the southern regions of Ukraine will also require the involvement of water resources of the Danube River. Conclusions. Restoring irrigation to a level at which it can play the role of a compensator for the negative impact of climate change on the sustainability of agriculture will require the involvement of the water resources of the Danube River and should be implemented through the development and implementation of investment projects for the reconstruction and modernization of the existing irrigation infrastructure. The development of these projects should be preceded by the institutional reform of the water resources management system and land reclamation, and the creation of organizations of water users, and national and regional operators that will operate the existing and restored engineering irrigation infrastructure. Projects to increase the level of water supply and restore irrigation should become a mandatory component of Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction plans since sustainable socio-economic development in the face of climate change is only possible with an adequate level of water supply.