Baku: President Ilham Aliyev has announced that the Shirvan canal is set to be commissioned next year, with the restoration of the Garabagh canal also underway. The President highlighted the crucial role of water supply in the development of agriculture during a meeting focused on agricultural issues.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev stated that significant projects have been executed, including the construction of major reservoirs such as Takhtakorpu, Shamkirchay, and Goytepe. A reconstruction project covering ten reservoirs is currently in progress. Following the liberation of Garabagh and East Zangezur, the restoration of reservoirs in these areas commenced, increasing the number of Kondalanchay reservoirs to three. Additional reservoirs such as Khachinchay, Sugovushan, Sarsang, and Zabukhchay have also been reconstructed, with ongoing construction of the Bargushad and Hakari reservoirs.

The President mentioned that Garabagh and East Zangezur form twenty-five percent of Azerbaijan's water resources, which can now be utilized efficiently to supply water to various regions. The Sarsang and Sugovushan reservoirs, initially established by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, aimed to supply water to multiple districts. Post-liberation, water supply to 8 districts, covering approximately 100,000 hectares, is being restored.

President Aliyev further explained that the Shirvan canal is being constructed as a concrete-lined canal, expected to be operational next year, thereby enhancing water supply to vast land areas. The restoration and reconstruction of the Garabagh canal are also taking place. Once operational, these canals are anticipated to provide water to 200,000-300,000 hectares of land. The State Program envisages establishing a modern irrigation network on these lands, aligning with current applications on 130,000 hectares, with an aim to expand to 300,000 hectares, thereby significantly boosting productivity.