About 30% of low-level irrigation networks in Ukraine do not have an owner. Because of this, during the country's independence, many of them were looted. Mykhailo Sokolov, Deputy Chairman of Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC), spoke about this.

"Pipes were simply dug up and sold for scrap metal. This is because they are actually "suspended" in the air and do not belong to anyone. They are neither state-owned, nor communally owned, nor privately owned. In addition, despite the fact that irrigation is very important for farmers, we still face cases when people whom I consider bandits dig pipes destroying irrigation," Mykhailo Sokolov said.

Currently in Ukraine from less than 2.1 million hectares of irrigated land, which the state had at the beginning of independence, less than 500 thousand hectares are irrigated. In order to change the situation and create conditions for the development of reclamation systems, a draft law on the Water Users’ Association (WAU) was offered, in the development of which UAC is actively involved.

"On the one hand, the draft law on WUA is an opportunity to unite land users who use irrigation. On the other hand, it is an opportunity for the state to transfer such organizations to the balance of the network and pumping stations, reduce government spending, and create conditions for the development of land reclamation. Farmers are ready to invest irrigation systems. Moreover, where farmers have managed to make irrigation systems, the cost of watering per one hectare was 30% lower. The second part of this bill concerns the registration of property rights to the irrigation system. After all, now the pipes that lie underground can not be registered as real estate: the system of the State Geocadastre does not provide for such a possibility. This bill provides for it and it will be impossible to just steal and not be responsible for that. Also, it will give an opportunity to create private irrigation networks," Mykhailo Sokolov said.

The Deputy Chairman of UAC mentioned that the resumption of irrigation will significantly increase Ukraine's GDP, as it will increase yields by two or even three times. However, this requires a lot of effort and a rather long reform.