The Irri Project Of Irrigation – Example Of Developing Eastern Croatia

IRRI - The Irrigation Project“ is by EU through IPA II Cross-Border Program Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina and implemented by the Municipality of Lovas on the Croatian side and Municipality of Odžak on the Bosnian and Herzegovina side together with project partners: Vukovar-Srijem County, Municipality of Tompojevci, Associations of Users of the Opatovac and Tompojevci Irrigation System, Municipality of Samac and Association Independent Office for Development. The project seeks to increase incomes by reducing the effects of droughts which in crossborder region occur once in three to five years. The average yield of primarily vegetables, fruit and other crops is low comparing to European Union countries. Also one of the major problems is lack of education, basic knowledge and training what leads to the fact that farmers are not involved in the growing global irrigation trend. Therefore, the project is intended to develop demonstration irrigated fields through investments that are cost effective, environmentally and socially sound and beneficial to the rural poor. Special accent is put on education where conducted series of workshops and field trainings will enable the transfer of the latest knowledge and technologies in the field of irrigation and establish a number of experts in irrigation. All results of project activities are presented to the wider audience through events, presentation and demonstration fields. The aim of the assignment is to contribute to increase crop productions and raise farmers’ incomes in the municipalities Lovas and Tompojevci through supporting of production of agriculture producers by introduction of the system for irrigation, enhancing of knowledge of farmers and expertise of technicians and increasing of cooperation and public awareness in irrigation.