The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia reports to the Srbija News office on the successful implementation of a modern irrigation system in the areas of Prijevor and Trbušani, within the Čačak municipality.
SRBIJA NEWS – As climate change intensifies and droughts become more frequent, the development of efficient irrigation infrastructure has become a strategic priority for Serbia’s agricultural sector. One of the most compelling examples of this effort is the irrigation project in Prijevor and Trbušani, where the upgraded water management system has already demonstrated its impact in practice.
One year ago, a newly modernized irrigation network was launched in these regions, significantly improving working conditions for local farmers. According to Vladan Virijević, State Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, the producers who once depended on unpredictable weather now have reliable access to water and can count on stable crop yields. He emphasized that such investments in rural infrastructure are entirely justified: crops remain healthy even during dry periods, yields are consistent, and water is available without interruption. Virijević confirmed that the Serbian Government will continue supporting similar projects across the country, as they are directly tied to food security and agricultural resilience.
The Prijevor irrigation system includes 5.5 kilometers of reconstructed canals, four new pump stations, and an extensive network of secondary and tertiary pipelines. In its first year of operation, the number of users grew from 6 to 86, with projections suggesting that more than 110 households will be using the system by the end of the season. Goran Puzović, director of the public enterprise “Srbijavode,” noted that this is the first semi-automated irrigation system in Serbia. Each user has their own hydrolock and can monitor their exact water consumption. By the end of the year, it is expected that up to 700,000 cubic meters of water will be used—six times more than the previous season.
Čačak Mayor Milun Todorović reminded that the original canal was constructed in 1954 but had remained non-functional for decades. With the help of project partners, over €5.7 million was secured for revitalizing this section of the system. He stressed that this is not merely an infrastructure investment—it’s an investment in rural life and the future of farming communities. Expansion of the network toward Upper Prijevor and Trbušani is also planned.
Local farmers are already witnessing the benefits firsthand. Svetlana Bogdanović from Trbušani stated that yields are significantly lower on plots without irrigation, while the warm canal water has visibly boosted plant health. Dejan Čarapić from Prijevor noted that thanks to a steady water supply, they can now grow two crops per year—something that was impossible in the past due to well depletion. Bogdan, a farmer from Trbušani who cultivates 40 hectares (15 of which are irrigated), said they would have lost both their potato and corn crops without the system: “Now we no longer depend on the sky.”
The Prijevor system serves as a model of successful collaboration between national institutions, local government, public enterprises, and farmers. It clearly shows that investments in water infrastructure directly contribute to agricultural sustainability, rural vitality, and production stability.
Following the field visit, a working lunch was held at the Prijevor community center, where representatives from the Ministry and “Srbijavode” met with system users. In a warm and productive atmosphere, participants exchanged experiences, discussed implementation challenges, and proposed ideas for further improvements. All feedback was attentively received, and officials emphasized that direct dialogue with producers is crucial in shaping future policies—because those working the land know best what is needed to make systems like Prijevor’s even more effective and accessible.
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