Incoder earmarks Tolima irrigation project funds

Colombia's rural development institute Incoder has signed an agreement with the Tolima department government whereby it will transfer 6.7bn pesos (US$2.7mn) to the department for a 344bn-peso irrigation project, Incoder reported. The project, dubbed "Triángulo del Tolima," aims to cover 24,700ha and benefit more than 8,000 families. An Incoder infrastructure department official told BNamericas that the 6.7bn pesos will be for complementary works to complete the Zanja Honda dam; the dam itself is not part of the irrigation project. The bulk of works that fall under the 344bn-peso project, such as a penstock, transmission tunnel and channeling, are pending national government allocation, said the official. Incoder falls under the agriculture and rural development ministry, and was created last year by joining together the land-adaptation institute Inat, agrarian reform institute Incora, agriculture and fishing institute Inpa and rural investment fund DRI.