2016

Li Keqiang Signs State Council Order Promulgating Regulations on Irrigation and Water Conservancy

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June 2-Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council recently signed Decree No. 669 of the State Council, promulgating the regulations on irrigation and water conservancy (hereinafter referred to as the regulations), which will come into force on July 1, 2016.

Water conservancy is the lifeblood of agriculture, agricultural development must vigorously develop irrigation and water conservancy. The formulation of the "Regulations" is of great significance for accelerating the development of farmland water conservancy, improving comprehensive agricultural production capacity, and ensuring national food security.

The "Regulations" clarify that the development of farmland water conservancy must adhere to the principles of government-led, scientific planning, adapting measures to local conditions, water saving and high efficiency, and equal emphasis on construction and management.

The Regulations stipulate the procedures for the preparation of farmland water conservancy plans, requiring that the preparation of plans should take into account factors such as agricultural production needs, irrigation and drainage development needs, and environmental protection, and extensively solicit opinions, especially rural collective economic organizations, farmers' water cooperation organizations and Farmers' opinions. The "Regulations" clarify that the project construction unit is responsible for the quality and safety of the project, and requires the government to invest in the completion and acceptance of the project to invite relevant experts and rural collective economic organizations, farmers' water cooperation organizations and farmers' representatives to participate, and establish project files. The "Regulations" pointed out that according to different project types and investment entities, the corresponding operation and maintenance entities of farmland water conservancy projects should be determined, the operation and maintenance responsibilities should be clarified, the supervision of the performance of management and protection responsibilities should be strengthened, and the protection requirements of engineering facilities should be improved. The Regulations stipulate that farmland irrigation water shall be subject to a system that combines total amount control and quota management. Farmland irrigation water shall be used for compensation and the price of water shall be reasonably determined. Water-saving irrigation technologies such as sprinkler irrigation and micro-irrigation are encouraged to be popularized and applied. Farmland drainage technologies and measures, major grain producing areas, areas with severe water shortages, fragile ecological environments, and areas with over-exploitation of groundwater should give priority to the development of water-saving irrigation.

The Regulations clarify that the construction of farmland water conservancy projects implements a combination of government investment and social force investment, guides and supports social forces to participate in the construction and operation of farmland water conservancy projects, and guides financial institutions to launch financial products that meet the characteristics of farmland water conservancy projects. Credit support, establish and improve the grassroots water conservancy service system, and support professional service organizations to carry out farmland irrigation, drainage and maintenance of farmland water conservancy engineering facilities.

Decree of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

No. 669

The Regulation on Irrigation and Water Conservancy, as adopted at the 131st executive meeting of the State Council on April 27, 2016, is hereby issued and shall come into force on July 1, 2016.

Premier Li Keqiang

17 May 2016

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