STUDIES ON THE REHABILITATION, DEVELOPMENT AND MODERNIZATION OF IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE

The establishment of irrigation systems falls within the provisions of Article 73 and Article 74 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and contributes to achieving the objective of promoting sustainable development and efficient management of natural resources, such as water, soil, and air, including by reducing chemical dependence. The study focuses exclusively on the modernization of secondary irrigation infrastructure outside the farm. Investments in the modernization of irrigation infrastructure are necessary to improve efficiency by reducing water loss, enhancing energy efficiency, reducing agriculture's dependency on weather conditions, increasing farmers' competitiveness, and helping the sector face long-term challengesposed by climate change. The modernization, rehabilitation, and development of irrigation infrastructure through the national strategic plan encompasses all operations aimed at improving the operational parameters of irrigation infrastructure through the use of new and modern technologies, equipment, components, and materials to enhance the performance of this infrastructure. This ensures the efficient use of water for irrigation and reduces environmental impact on existing sites without altering their original purpose or functionality. In justified situations, through technical expertise and techno-economic arguments, elements of the infrastructure may be relocated without affecting the functionality of the entire system, for example: relocation ofpressurizing pumping stations, changing the routes of buried pipes, etc.