Problems of introducing a system of paid water use in irrigated agriculture in water-deficient regions of Russia (on the example of the Rostov region)

Abstract

In the face of climate change, regulation of water use is essential. On the example of the Rostov region, the necessity of introducing paid water for agricultural lands was considered. Rostov region is one of the largest producers of agricultural products, including wheat and sunflower. At the same time, this territory belongs to arid territories and needs irrigation of agricultural land. The Lower Don basin on the territory of the Rostov region includes the territory from the Tsimlyansk reservoir to the river mouth. The quality of water resources and river runoff of large waterways in the Don region is largely determined by small rivers, whose environmental problems are also associated with a high anthropogenic load, indicating intense economic activity. The article discusses the possibilities of using the system of payment for water use for agriculture. It is shown that the introduction of a system of tariffs for irrigation water, as well as the modernization of existing legal norms, will reduce the anthropogenic load on the ecosystem. The systemic regulation of water use should ultimately lead to the modernization of the system of irrigation canals and the cleaning of small rivers in the region.