WILLEMSTAD - On Thursday, August 23, 2023, the Ministry of Economic Development introduced a special tariff for the use of irrigation water in the agricultural sector. Irrigation water is known to improve crop quality and increase production. The introduction of this special tariff aims to stimulate our local agricultural sector to produce more local fruits and vegetables at an attractive and competitive price for our community. The introduction of this special tariff for irrigation water usage should also contribute to reducing business expenses for local agricultural traders, which in turn will lead to sector expansion, more job opportunities, and a reduction in the importation of certain agricultural products.
The pathway for the use of irrigation water in the agricultural sector is the first step towards obtaining second-grade water for agriculture. In the future, the use of second-grade water will allow farmers to pay a reduced price for water and cultivate more local fruits and vegetables at an affordable price.
Local farmers who hold an establishment permit for fruit and vegetable cultivation, are registered with the Chamber of Commerce, and have an irrigation system installed for water distribution to their plantations may benefit from this new irrigation water tariff. These are the main conditions for eligibility, but there are additional conditions mentioned in the decree. Details and information about the introduction of the special tariff for irrigation water are mentioned in Decree 91, which has been published on the Bureau of Telecommunication & Post (BTP) website under the electricity tariffs for September 2023 and will come into effect on September 1st. It's advisable to regularly consult the BTP website regarding current tariffs, as these are adjusted monthly.