“The State Covers Approximately 80% of Irrigation Water Fees,” Says Gigla Tamazashvili

Under a resolution of the Government of Georgia, a subsidy program for irrigation water supply services will come into effect on April 1.

The aim of the change is to ensure more rational use of water resources, improve the quality of melioration services, and support the efficient functioning of the system.

According to Gigla Tamazashvili, Director General of Georgian Amelioration, the existing tariff had been set 14 years ago and no longer met modern requirements.

“The new tariff established by the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission is based on actual operational costs and does not include capital or ongoing expenses, as these are fully financed by the state. Before the tariff change, the irrigation water fee was 75 GEL per hectare, with the remaining costs also subsidized by the state.

Under the new regulation, the pricing is no longer based on a single irrigation cycle, but on the cost per cubic meter of water, which is set at 0.0826 GEL for both annual and perennial crops. Based on this calculation, the cost of one irrigation cycle amounts to 116.50 GEL.

For annual crops, the total cost of four irrigation cycles is 466 GEL, of which 349 GEL is subsidized by the state. For perennial crops, the total cost is 408 GEL, of which 306 GEL is subsidized.

As a result, approximately 80% of the irrigation water fee paid by users is covered by the state,” said Gigla Tamazashvili.