Romania - Bucsani - Buzau - Siret - Prut Irrigation Project

Document of The World Bank FIL g FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Report No. 3152-K' ROMANIA BUCSANI-BUZAU-SIRET-PRUT (BBSP) IRRIGATION PROJECT STAFF APPRAISAL REPORT November 26, 1980 Project Department Europe, Middle East and North Africa Region This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only in the performance of their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization.  BUCSANI-BUZAU-SIRET-PRUT IRRIGATION PROJECT ROMANIA CONVERSION RATES AND ABBREVIATIONS CURRENCY EQUIVALENT Lei 15.00 = US$1.00 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 1 millimeter (mm) 0.0394 inch (in) 1 centimeter (cm) = 0.3937 inch (in) 1 meter (m) 3.2808 feet (ft) 1 kilometer (km) = 0.6214 mile (mi) 1 square kilometer (km2) 0.3861 square mile (mi2) I liter (1) = 0.2642 gallon (gal) 1 liter per second (1/sec) 0.0353 cubic foot per second (ft3/sec) 1 cubic meter per second (m3/sec) 35.3147 cubic feet per second (ft3/sec) 1 atmosphere (at) 14.2239 pounds per square inch (psi) 1 kilowatt (kw) = 1.3410 horsepower (hp) 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2046 pounds (lb) 1 metric ton (ton) 2,204.6225 pounds (lb) ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS BAFI Bank for Agriculture and Food Industry CAP Agricultural Production Cooperative DELIF Directorate for Exploitation of Land Reclamation Works DGEIFCA Economic General Directorate for Land Reclamation and Agricultural Construction IAS State Agricultural Enterprise ICA Intercooperative Economic Association IELIF Enterprise for Exploitation of Land Reclamation Works ISPIF Institute for Land Reclamation Studies and Design MAFI Ministry of Agricultue and Food Industry SMA Station for Agricultural Machinery TCIF Construction Trust for Land Reclamation Works UAC Unified Agro-industrial Council ROMANIAN FISCAL YEAR January 1 to December 31  FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPRAISAL OF BUCSANI-BUZAU-SIRET-PRUT IRRIGATION PROJECT ROMANIA Table of Contents Page No. I. THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR .............................. 1 A. The Resource Base ............................... 1 B. Role and Performance of Agriculture in the Economy ......................................... 1 C. Development Constraints and Issues .... .......... 3 D. Development Policy and Planing Strategy .... ..... 3 E. Development in the Irrigation Sub-sector .... .... 5 F. Bank Strategy and Role in Agriculture .... ....... 6 II. THE PROJECT AREA AND NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS .... ....... 7 A. The Project Area ................................ 7 B. Natural Resources ............................... 9 C. Agricultural Production and Livestock .... ....... 11 D. Agricultural Production Organizations .... ....... 11 E. Farm Inputs ..................................... 14 F. Agricultural Research and Extension .... ......... 15 G. The Bank for Agriculture and Food Industry ...... 16 H. Investment Financing ............................ 18 I. Marketing ........................................ 18 III. THE PROJECT .......................................... 21 A. Objectives ...................................... 21 B. Detailed Features ............................... 21 C. Project Description ............................. 24 D. Water Requirements, Water Availability and Quality ......................................... 27 E. Status of Engineering ........................... 27 F. Cost Estimates ................................... 27 G. Financing ....................................... 30 H. Cost Recovery ................................... 30 I. Implementation Schedule ......................... 31 J. Procurement ..................................... 32 K. Disbursements ................................... 33 L. Environment and Health .......................... 33 M. Role of Women .................. 33 This report is based on the findings of an appraisal mission to Romania in April-May 1980, consisting of Messrs. Mahmud H. Tirmazi, Petros Aklilu, Mohammad Hussain (Consultant) and Ms. Nereita Mangosing. This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only in the performance of their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization.  (ii) Table of Contents (Continued) Page No. IV. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION , .... 34 A. Organization and Management .......... ........... 34 B. Operation and Maintenance and Supervision of Construction .. ......... 35 C. Accounts and Audit ............. .. ............... 36 D. Project Monitoring and Completion Report ........ 37 V. BENEFITS AND JUSTIFICATION ........................... 37 A. Project Production and Markets ......... ......... 37 B. Prices .......... 40 C. Main Benefits and Beneficiaries ........ ......... 41 D. Economic Analysis ............. .. ................ 41 VI. AGREEMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................... 47 ANNEXES Annex No. Table No 1 1 Climatological Data 2 1 Present and Future Cropping Pattern-Bucsani 2 Present and Future Cropping Pattern-Buzau 3 Present and Future Cropping Pattern-Siret 4 Present and Future Cropping Pattern-Prut 3 1 Equipment to be Procured Following International Competitive Bidding 4 1 Cost Estimates - Bucsani 2 Cost Estimates - Buzau 3 Cost Estimates - Siret 4 Cost Estimates - Prut 5 1 Financing Plan 6 1 Schedule of Expenditure - Bucsani 2 Schedule of Expenditure - Buzau 3 Schedule of Expenditure - Siret 4 Schedule of Expenditure - Prut 7 1 Estimated Schedule of Disbursement 8 1 Annual Operation and Maintenance Costs 9 1 Summary of Economic Analysis - Bucsani 2 Summary of Economic Analysis - Buzau 3 Summary of Economic Analysis - Siret 4 Summary of Economic Analysis - Prut 5 Summary of Economic Analysis - Total Project  ( iii) Table of Contents (Continued) 10 1 Financial and Economic Input Prices 2 Financial and Economic Output Prices 11 - Project Description 12 1 Selected Documents and Data Available in the Project Implementation File CHARTS 1. Project Implementation Schedule 2. Organization of BAFI MAPS Bucsani - IBRD 15177 Buzau - IBRD 15176 Siret and Prut - IBRD 15179   APPRAISAL OF BUCSANI-BUZAU-SIRET-PRUT IRRIGATION PROJECT ROMANIA I. THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR A. The Resource Base 1.1 Romanian agriculture benefits from relatively good soils, a cli- mate reasonably suitable for production, and exploitable water resources. Out of a national total of 23.8 million ha, 14.9 million are employed in agricultural production. Of the agricultural total, arable land accounts for 65.8%, pastures 20.1%, meadow land 9.4%, and vineyards and orchards 4.7%. Romania can be divided into three agroclimatic zones based on cli- matic factors, topography, soils, and other natural conditions influencing land use and agricultural performance. The Plains Zone, located in the western, southern, and eastern parts of the country, is especially well endowed with fertile soils and irrigation infrastructure; it contains approximately 53% of total arable land but only 18% land under pastures and meadows. Crop yields tend to be highest in this region and irrigation facilities are concentrated in this major grain belt. By 1979 about 2.2 million ha of land in Romania was under irrigation of which 81.5% was located in 12 districts of the Plains Zone. The Foothills Zone situated mainly to the north of the Plains Zone, is characterized by shallow less productive soils. About 28% of the total arable land and 32% of total pasture and meadow lands are situated in the Foothills. The Mountain and Table-land Zone, including districts in the northern and central parts of the country, accounts for 19% of total arable area but 50% of all pasture and meadow lands. B. Role and Performance of Agriculture in the Economy 1.2 Despite its declining share in the national income (15% in 1979, down from 33% in 1960), agriculture continues to play an important role in the Romanian economy. In 1979 the share of agriculture in foreign exchange earnings, accounted for about 20% of export receipts compared to 36% in 1960. This decline is primarily due to Government's emphasis on industrial output and export. Nonetheless the volume of agricultural exports has increased five-fold from 1960 to 1979. Over the last two decades, satis- factory growth of the agriculture sector, particularly of cereal produc- tion, met, both domestic requirements for consumption and livestock feed and generated exportable surplus. Imports of agricultural products have remained constant as a share of total imports. The most significant agri- cultural imports are high protein-content animal feeds and raw cotton. Government places high priority on foreign exchange earnings and savings through agricultural exports. There is a vast potential for increased agricultural output to satisfy Romania's objectives of foreign exchange  -2- earnings as well as to meet the growing demand for increased quantity of better quality agricultural products. The proposed project would enhance these objectives. 1.3 The agriculture sector also provides the raw material for the domestic agro-industry. With the exception of feed mills, over 90% of the agro-industrial capacities rely on domestically produced raw materials. In 1979, because of the shortage of protein meals, about 13% of the require- ments were imported annually. Planned targets for 1985 indicate that Romania would be self-sufficient in plant and animal protein meals. In the proposed project, the area under soybeans and sunflower would be enlarged to augment the feed supply. However, projected domestic production of key protein-source crops appears to fall short of demand, particularly if recommended levels of protein content in feed composition are adopted. 1.4 Agriculture has served as a reserve pool of labor force for the industrial and services sectors. In 1960 about 65% of the active labor force was employed in agriculture compared to 33% in 1979. Labor produc- tivity in agriculture has risen by about 100% over the same period, enabling transfer of labor to other sectors. This reduction of the agri- cultural labor force is also attributed to the pull effect from other sectors where returns to labor are perceived to be higher than in agricul- ture and to the general attraction of urban settings. In spite of the apparent shortage of labor during peak harvesting periods, the existing size of the labor force in agriculture is still considered relatively high. Planned increased mechanization in the agricultural sector will further release labor for other sectors. 1.5 Agricultural production in Romania is organized into State farms (IAS) Agricultural Production Cooperatives (CAP) and individual units. CAPs hold 60% of agricultural land, while IASs own 30% and individuals, 10%. The present land tenure has evolved since the 1950s and 1960s when Government took major steps to collectivize small individual holdings. Currently about 3,400 CAPs and about 400 IASs carry out farming operations with the assistance of about 700 Stations for Agricultural Mechanization (SMA). In February 1979, the Government announced plans for reorganization of the agricultural units. About 700 umbrella organizations known as Unified Agro-industrial Councils (UACs) have been established comprising IASs, CAPs and SMAs. This step was taken as part of an effort to stream- line agricultural operations and to promote efficient utilization of land, delivery of inputs, and allocation of services. Productivity in the Cooperative farm sector is lagging significantly behind that in State farms as a result of deliberate Government emphasis on conicentrating technologi- cal innovations on the State farms. However, it has gradually become evident that Romania would have to channel more sources into the Coopera- tive sector and improve its technical as well as managerial capabilities to maintain high rate of growth in the 1980s. Government's new initiative is indicative of its recognition that to achieve higher and faster agricul- tural growth, it must promote partnership among the State, Cooperative, and individual production sectors and allocate larger resources to the Coopera- tive sector which is lagging behind.  -3 - C. Development Constraints and Issues 1.6 Over the past two or three decades crop yields in Romania have shown considerable improvement. For example, the average yield of wheat and barley increased from 0.17 tons per ha in 1950 to 3.0 tons per ha in 1978. Likewise maize yields increased from 0.7 to 3.2 tons per ha over the same period. However, crop yields in Romania are still relatively low. Wheat and maize yields are a little lower than those obtained in other Eastern countries and only about 60-70% of those obtained in Western Europe. Yields in Romania have been adversely affected by low and erratic rainfall in the main crop producing zone of the country, as well as by lack of drainage facilities and considerable flood damage and soil erosion in some areas. For these reasons, Romania continues to assign high priority to the development of irrigation and drainage. Livestock yields have also increased but these again remain low when compared with levels reached in Western Europe. For example, the average milk yield per cow has increased from 867 liters in 1950 to 1, 327 in 1960 and to 1,968 liters in 1978. The latter is less than half of present average yields in Western European countries. Livestock productivity has also been adversely affected by the impact of low and fluctuating rainfall on fodder and grain production. Thus, development of irrigation will also help to improve livestock productivity. 1.7 Another constraint to higher agricultural productivity in Romania is the inadequacy of chemical fertilizers, biocides, and mechanical ser- vices. Indeed, the fertilizer application rate has increased substantially from less than 10 kg per ha in 1960 to 120 kg per ha in 1978 of active sub- stance; nevertheless, the introduction of irrigation and drainage facili- ties ensuring adequate water application, improvements in husbandry practices, and adoption of hybrid seeds necessitate a much higher rate of fertilizer application than achieved. Similarly, mechanical services, par- ticularly for harvesting (where as much as 50% of maize is harvested manually), are in short supply. D. Development Policy and Planning Strategy 1.8 Romania is now on the threshold of the Sixth Five Year Plan for 1981-1985. The first draft was issued in 1978, however, subsequent devel- opments in the Romanian economy in particular and the world economy at large dictated a more prudent set of output targets. The party Congress reviewed the draft Plan and made significant changes in view of: (a) the growing energy crisis and increasing costs of energy in the foreseeable future; (b) non-fulfillment of planned targets during 1976-1980, especially in agriculture, due to inadequate equipment, construction materials; and (c) lack of fertilizers resulting in shortfalls in recommended applications rates. Nevertheless the planning strategy adheres to the previous Plan's (1975-80) objectives of: (a) raising land and labor productivity; (b) improving the diet of the-population by intensifying production of high  - 4 - value crops, meat, and dairy products; (c) expanding surplus production for export; (d) introduction of capital intensive technologies to release labor for non-farm employment; and (e) expanding irrigation and drainage facili- ties to minimize the effects of weather failures. Specifically, planned investments for the agricultural sector for the 1981-1985 Plan include: (a) investment of Lei 150 billion (US$10.0 billion) which represents 12.5% of the total planned investment in the economy; (b) land reclamation in the Danube delta and in the Foothills Zone for an area of about 154,000 ha, bringing the total arable land to about 10 million ha; (c) expansion of irrigation facilities from 2.2 million ha in 1979 to about 3.7 million ha by 1985; (d) provision of drainage facilities for an additional 0.8 million ha and soil erosion control works to protect an additional 1.0 million ha; (e) increasing the total horse power of tractors with about 140,000 new tractor units and 40,000 self-propelled harvester units, plus other farm machinery and equipment; (f) raising the application rate of fertilizer (active substance) from 120 kg per ha in 1980 to about 300 kg per ha in 1985 with full capacity operation of the fertilizer factories; (g) adoption of high quality seeds and adequate pesticide distribu- tion; and (h) improvement of existing breeds of livestock and development of new ones, for which 25% of planned investments in the agricultural sector would be allocated. 1.9 The proposed five year investment plan (1981-85) for the agricul- tural sector has not departed substantially from the current plan (1975-80) strategy but is less ambitious. The investment share of agriculture in total investment for the economy has increased slightly from 11.6% to 12.5% in current prices. The annual growth rate for agriculture which is set at 4% per annum, compared to 5-7.5% per annum for the 1976-1980 plan, is attainable. Furthermore, the targeted fertilizer application rate has been adjusted downwards considerably to about 300 kg per ha by 1985 compared to 280 kg per ha previously planned by 1980. The planned rate of application, though lower than recommended, is feasible given the desired distribution between exports and domestic use.  - 5- E. Development in the Irrigation Sub-Sector 1.10 One of the principal bottlenecks of Romanian agriculture is the erratic rainfall and lack of drainage facilities . Of the total arable land of 9.8 million hectares an estimated 5 million hectares are classified as suitable for irrigation. In 1960 Romania had only 200,000 ha of irri- gated land. Government's commitment to exploit the land and water resources of the Danube plain and Foothill zones is demonstrated by the rapid expansion of irrigated agriculture. In 1979 about 2.2 million ha were irrigated. Large irrigation schemes have so far been confined to the Danube plains where average annual rainfall is about 400 mm and varies widely from year to year. Government's priority to develop the Danube plains stems from the endownment of the zone with fertile soils and rela- tively low investment cost per ha. The proposed Bucsani-Buzau-Siret-Prut Irrigation Project will be the first Bank-assisted project irrigated from the northern tributaries, instead of the Danube River. These tributaries of the Danube require storage, and, because of increasing demand for power generation a series of multipurpose dams are being constructed. These storage dams which are planned primarily for power generation would also serve to meet irrigation requirements. 1.11 Despite rapid development of irrigation in Romania, land produc- tivity (yields) remains low primarily due to lack of drainage facilities and other agricultural services and inputs. The development approach taken in the irrigation subsector has hitherto given secondary priority to prob- lems of drainage. Consequently, annual crop losses due to excess surface water and a high water table are substantial. The problem becomes vividly evident in spring when high snow accumulation on the land, and snow melts augmented by rainfall, create excess surface water causing considerable loss to autumn crops. Moreover, as a result of water logging, spring crops cannot be sown on time. The Government has, therefore, decided that future development projects would give first priority to removal of excess water through drainage facilities, and irrigation would be extended only when these anti water logging measures have been adopted. Drainage is also being extended to those existing locally financed, irrigation schemes where found deficient. All previous Bank financed projects have already incorporated adequate drainage facilities. 1.12 In the next five year plan (1981-85), the Government of Romania has proposed to extend irrigation to about 3.7 million ha. Most of the areas which could economically be irrigated from the Danube River, have already been exhausted and future expansion would be on the basis of developing the multipurpose water resources of the northern tributaries of the Danube. The Government is engaged in preparing separate plans for utilizing the multipurpose potential of these rivers. The major rivers included in the 1981-85 irrigation program are the Olt and the Arges in south-central Romania, and the Mostistea, the Ialomita, the Buzau, and the Siret in the south-eastern region, The water resources of the Olt and the Arges Rivers are being developed individually, through construction of  - 6 - multipurpose dams; whereas, the remaining rivers are proposed to be inter- connected through a carrier canal emanating from the Siret, flowing across the Baragan plain and terminating at the Mostistea. A series of multi- purpose dams are also proposed in the head waters of all these rivers, which would generate power and meet the irrigation and other uses of the Baragan plain and its adjoining areas. During periods of short supply the generating stations, which are reversible, would pump water from the River Danube back to the reservoirs, to meet irrigation, domestic, and industrial requirements. For FY82 an irrigation project (Irrigation IX) on the Olt River is included in the Bank proposed lending program. However, the Gov- ernment of Romania has proposed that projects for irrigating the Baragan plain should be considered for possible Bank financing during FY83 and FY84 (Irrigation X and XI). The identification and preparation of these proj- ects which are a part of a long term multipurpose development program, spread over a number of river basins would require special analytical skills. The Bank has proposed an Irrigation Subsector Review in the spring of 1980 to assess the suitability of the program, its priorities, cost allocations between various purposes, and, if possible, to devise a new approach to our program through sector lending. F. Bank Strategy and Role in Agriculture 1.13 The Bank's strategy is based on promoting efficient agricultural development while at the same time transferring needed convertible foreign exchange to Romania and assisting with the introduction of improved produc- tion technology. In view of lower productivity in agriculture as compared to other sectors of the economy, the Bank's lending program gives a consid- erable emphasis to the agricultural sector, while remaining in harmony with Government's plans for agricultural development. The Bank's lending strategy is based on the findings of various reports, including the Agri- cultural Sector Survey of October 1976 (Report Number 953a-RO), the Basic Economic Report dated March 1978 (Report Number 1601-RO), a number of recent appraisal reports of 1979 and 1980, and a livestock subsector review (1980). 1.14 The proposed loan, together with Livestock IV which is being processed simultaneously, would bring the Bank's total lending to Romania to US$1,782.6 million for 29 projects. Of the 27 loans already approved, twelve, totalling US$741.5 million, have been in agriculture. Of these five are irrigation projects, one irrigation and agricultural development project, one agricultural credit project, one agricultural component of a flood recovery project, two pig production and processing projects, one poultry project, and one orchards projects. The agricultural projects are supervised about twice a year and are progressing satisfactorily with no major problems. The first irrigation project (Giurgiu-Razmiresti, Loan 1082-RO) has been satisfactorily completed and a Project Completion Report has been issued and a report by the Operations Evaluation Department is under preparation.  1.15 The Bank has made a substantial contribution to improve the tech- nical quality of agricultural projects in Romania. In irrigation, the Bank has set in motion the concept of preparation of alternative designs and selection of the least cost alternatives. The Bank has also convinced the Romanian designers and planners to postpone projects based on provisional sources of water supply which were not technically the optimum solution, until such time as the waters from the northern tributaries, other than the Danube, have been developed for providing permanent water resources for irrigating these areas. Suggestions given by Bank staff have also improved the design of canals in loess soils, design of drainage works, maintenance, and soil reclamation. The Bank's dialogue with the Romanian authorities has led to an important conceptual change in the projects, i.e. inclusion of private plots allotted to members of Cooperatives, in the irrigated areas. This mutual understanding is also reflected in the design of projects in the livestock and horticulture subsectors, where technical innovations and institutional development have become the principal focus of Bank lending. II. THE PROJECT AREA AND NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS A. The Project Area 2.1 Location. The project area, about 158,485 ha (154,350 ha net) consists of four distinct and geographically separate subprojects, located in the south central and south eastern part of Romania. (a) Bucsani. Located in Olt and Vilcea Districts (Map 15177), this subproject has an area of 47,205 ha (45,907 ha net). The project area falls on the right bank of the Olt River; in the north limited by the towns of Bucsani and lonesti, in the south by the Oltet River and Cioroiu town, in the west by the slopes of the mountain ranges and in east by the Olt River with its series of storages for hydroelectric generation. The present subproject represents a small tranche of a major development program on the Olt River, which on completion would include irrigation of about 670,000 ha. (b) Buzau. Located in Prahova and Buzau Districts (Map 15176) this subproject has an area of 59,760 ha (58,481 ha net), the project falls astride both banks of the Buzau River. In the north the area is bounded by the district road from Pietroasele to Urlati, on the south by the Calmatui Irrigation System, on the west by the river Cricovul Sara and on the east by the future Siret-Baragan Irrigation System. (c) Siret. The project comprising of 15,687 ha (15,168 ha net) is located entirely in Galati District (Map 15178). It is limited in the north by the town of Tecuci, in the south by the lower reaches of the Siret River before it outfalls into the Danube River, on  the west by the main stem of the Siret River and on the east by the Covurlui Irrigation Project, already financed by the Bank (Loan 1795 RO). (d) Prut. The project consisting of 35,833 ha (34,794 ha net) is located in Galati District (Map 15178), on the right Bank of the Prut River, which forms the boundary between Romania and the USSR. In the north the project is bounded by the foothills rising up from Oanca town, on the south by the Lake Brates and the Danube River, on the west by the Chineja River and on the east by the Prut River. 2.2 Topography and Drainage (a) Bucsani. This subproject is a part of the Olt River flood plain which has been reclaimed through construction of continuous dykes along both banks of the Olt River. The area ranges from EL 125 m to EL 175 m ABSL. 1/ Drainage is provided by natural streams and by a main drain which has been excavated parallel to the Olt River Dyke. These streams have problems of meander and siltation. Natural drainage of the project area is deficient and would have to be provided in the entire project area. Subsurface drainage would also be necessary in about 16% of the area. The banks of natural streams in the foothills show varying degrees of soil erosion. (b) Buzau. This subproject, area 59,760 ha (58,481 ha net) lies in the plains zone, immediately below the Istrita mountains and has an elevation ranging from 90 m to 180 m ABSL. The area is inter- spersed by 16 streams, emanating from the northern mountains. These streams act as the main collectors, however, additional drainage facilities would be necessary in the intervening lands. These 16 natural streams have a tendency to erode the banks and overflow for which training works would be necessary. The southern areas, about 12,000 ha adjoining the Calmatui Irrigation Project, have a drainage problem, coupled with salinity, and would require tile drainage and soil reclamation. (c) Siret. The subproject, 15,687 ha (15,168 ha net) is a part of the Siret River flood plain, a part of which has been reclaimed through construction of dykes on the Siret River. The alluvial plain is fairly uniform with a preponderance of clays. Gradients are flat and surface drainage would be required over the entire area, with tile drainage for aobut 40% of area. (d) Prut. The subproject has an area of 29,930 ha (28,973 ha net). The southern half is a part of the lower flood plain of the Prut 1/ Above Baltic Sea Level.  River, before it joins the Danube River, and has some existing irrigation and drainage development. A major lake, namely Brates, also exists for development of fish. Surface drainage and subsoil drainage problems are to be expected in this flood plain. The subproject also contains a substantial part of the plateau area, (15,155 ha) which is well drained but would require some soil erosion control. 2.3 Population. Total population in the project area is estimated at about 320,000, with about 239,100 living in the rural area. Details by sub- projects are given below: Subproject Bucsani Buzau Siret Prut Total Total population 96,477 158,722 21,015 43, 505 319,719 Rural population 96,477 78,104 21,015 43,505 239,101 Active labor force IAS 500 4,356 628 2,259 7,743 CAP 38,271 40,575 5,040 10,033 93,919 Total 38,771 44,931 5,668 12,292 101,662 2.4 Electricity and Water Supply. All towns and villages in the project area, as well as isolated State farms and livestock units, are served with electricity which is supplied from the national grid. The water for village households is drawn manually from shallow open wells, built along the main village roads or within each private plot. The towns of Tecuci and Buzau, however, are provided with piped water supply. 2.5 Communications. The four subproject areas are well linked with the national Romanian railway and road networks. The railway and the road connecting Slatina to Craiova and Rimnicu Vilcea serve the Bucsani subproj- ect. The Ploiesti-Buzau railroad link traverses the entire length of the Buzau subproject. The western and the eastern loops of the Galati-Birlad railway line pass through the Siret and the Prut flood plains, closely paralleled by roads. Almost all villages in the project area are accessi- ble by asphalt roads. Average hauling distance between any one village in the project area and the nearest railway station seldom exceeds 30 km. The existing farm road network, which is mostly gravelled, adequately serves the needs of the project area. B. Natural Resources 2.6 Climate. The principal climatological data from Galati, Tecuci Pretroasele, Dragasani and Slatina weather stations which are located in the project area, is given in Annex 1, Table 1. The climate is basically continental with hot summers and cold winters. In the growing season (April 1 - October 31), the average monthly temperature varies from a high of 22.60C in July to a low of 10.6