Five departments issue opinions to support the innovation and development of farmers' water cooperative organizations

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, 5 Oct (Reporter Yu Wenjing) the Ministry of Water Resources, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce recently jointly issued guidance opinions to clearly support the innovative development and capacity building of farmers' water cooperative organizations through policy tilt, property rights reform, increased capital investment, and comprehensive reform of water prices.

It is understood that in order to deepen the reform of the management system and mechanism of irrigation and water conservancy, adapt to the development and changes of new agricultural operators, further innovate the development of farmers' water use cooperative organizations, and promote the sound operation of farmland and water conservancy projects, the Ministry of Water Resources and other five departments jointly issued the "guidance on encouraging and supporting the innovative Development of Farmers' Water use Cooperation organizations."

The opinions clearly define the principles, main responsibilities and development mode of the farmers' water use cooperative organization. We will encourage cooperation in agriculture-related water use in the form of farmers' specialized cooperatives, guide new types of agricultural operators to join or establish agricultural and civil water cooperation organizations, and at the same time actively expand the scope of services and use institutional constraints, interest-driven and market-oriented mechanisms to carry out specialized irrigation and drainage, water supply, aquaculture, agricultural production and management, water conservancy technology and information services.

The opinion stresses that great efforts should be made to support the development of farmers' water-use cooperative organizations. By means of policy tilt, property rights reform, increasing capital investment, and comprehensive reform of water prices, farmers' water use cooperation organizations are encouraged to undertake project construction, organize and operate small-scale water conservancy projects, and be responsible for the calculation, collection, management and use of water charges. we will support the innovative development and capacity building of farmers' water use cooperation organizations, and increase their business guidance and training.