The PLN 14 billion (EUR 3.2 bn, USD 3.5 bn) initiative will cover the construction of large reservoirs on rivers, lakes and ponds, in addition to water retention in soil.
Ardanowski said on Monday that the government “is already earmarking PLN 100 million from this year’s funds available under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme so that several thousand farms in Poland can benefit from irrigation systems as soon as possible.”
The subsidies are also expected to cover the construction of new water reservoirs and deep wells.
He said that the purpose of allocating funds this year is primarily to stabilise the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly potatoes. He added that potato growers should be the first to tap into financial support since their crops clearly depend on the amount of precipitation.
Ardanowski said that 90 percent of the water flowing in Polish rivers ends up in the Baltic Sea.
Poland's Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation said this month that the country has some of the smallest water resources in Europe.
(aba/gs)
Source: PAP, RMF24