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Slovenian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage


    Institutional Aspects and Responsibilities Concerning Irrigation and Drainage


    Two Ministries are responsible for agricultural water management works in Slovenia: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (MAFF) and Ministry for the Environment and Physical Planning (MEPP).
    Water management for food production and rural development (irrigation and drainage) is basically in the domain of MAFF, which provides measures to encourage farmers to institute improved production technologies (irrigation and drainage), financially supports the implementation of these works (endowment for drainage systems had been even 100 % in eighties), while MEPP participates in the administrative procedure: the construction permit procedure and water use permit procedure.

    Irrigation systems are by the law divided into two groups:
    - small irrigation systems developed on smaller areas - around 10 ha (no water distribution scheduling required),
    - large irrigation systems are complex systems with several users - 100 to 300 ha (water distribution scheduling is strongly required).

    The first ones usually include low number of farmers in the irrigation scheme. MAFF financially supports development of such irrigation systems with endowments provided for the investment. The farmers themselves are owners of the system and also responsible for the operation and management.

    The second types are constructed by MAFF with the obligatory participation of farmers if 80 % of the land owners in the foreseen irrigation area agree with the implementation of the irrigation system. MAFF finances the construction of systems down to hydrant level, while farmers purchase on-field irrigation equipment. Farmers are as well obliged to pay for the operation and management of systems on the basis of the size of their plots. Payment are made through a regular state taxation system with a special account at the Ministry of Finance (MF) for that purpose.

    Operation and management is carried out by an enterprise that has a contract for such tasks with MAFF. This organisation also prepares financial plans for the next year, on the basis of which MAFF determines the annual charges that have to be paid by farmers.

    Maintenance of drainage systems is by the Law obligation of land owners - farmers, although regional administration units (Comminities) support financially these works (endowments).

    Payment of water use tax for the irrigation water use is explicitly excluded in the provisions of the Water Act. Furthermore, turbulent political, legislative and organisational times have resulted in the situation that almost each irrigation system has somehow specific management practice.

    There is no cadaster of land plots equipped with land drainage or irrigation facilities, yet, in spite of the fact that this is requested by the Law on Agricultural Land (OG 59/1996, Article 93). The Law is imposing this obligation to MAFF.

    Water management for food production and rural development (irrigation and drainage) is in the domain of the Ministry of agriculture, forestry and food of the Republic Slovenia (MAFF). The organizational structure of MAFF is presented on the next Figure:



    MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FOOD


    SECRETARY GENERAL:
    Office of Legislation, Office of Finance, Office of General Affairs, Information Center, Office for identification and registration of food, Office for education and co-operation with NGO's

    STATE SECRETARY FOR AGRICULTURE, STATE SECRETARY FOR EU AFFAIRS:
    Office for marketing, Office for structural policy and rural areas, Office for sustainable agriculture, Office for international co-operation and EU Affairs. Policy instruments in the area of rural development, irrigaation and drainage are the responsibility of this Department

    STATE SECRETARY FOR FORESTRY, HUNTING AND FISHERY:
    Office for forestry, Office for hunting, fishery and small animals

    STATE SECRETARY WITH OFFICES:
    Office for nutrition, Office for crop protection, Office for veterinary medicine, Office for animal husbandry

    STATE SECRETARY FOR LAND POLICY AND DENACIONALIZATION



    Under the MAFF there is AGENCY FOR MARKETING AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Agency has been established recently. Its task is the implementation of the Program SAPARD, the implementation of Reform Programme of agricultural policy of Slovenia and accession to the common agricultural policy of European Union. Its tasks are also: the implementation of financial interventions for rural development and food production (implementation of irrigation and drainage is its responsibility as well).
    MAFF also closely co-operates and/or uses services of Institutions like:
    - Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry,
    - Institute of Forestry of Slovenia,
    - Regional Agricultural Establishments,
    - Institute for Hops Production and Brewery Zalec,
    - Fund of Agricultural and Forestry Land of Slovenia,
    - Agricultural Institute of Slovenia,
    - University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty,
    - University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
    - University of Maribor, Faculty of Agriculture,
    - Agricultural, Food Processing and Forestry Schools in Slovenia.




    Back to introduction page

    General about agriculture in Slovenia

    Droughts and Irrigation

    Land Drainage

    Activities of Slovenian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage-SINCID

    ICID ERWG Conference on "Drought Mitigation and Prevention of Land Desertification", 2002, Bled, Slovenia

    Visit some natural beauties of Bled, Slovenia




    E-Mail: SDNO-SINCID@guest.arnes.si