The necessity of a fundamentally new approach to the formation of a water management system and state regulation of water use has been proved in order to achieve sustainable water use parameters in the agricultural sector of the economy. The principles of integrated water management in irrigated agriculture are defined. It is shown that the formation of the model of integrated management in the water management and reclamation complex requires the introduction of organizational and economic innovations, changes in the institutional environment, transformations in the organizational structure of agricultural enterprises and public authorities. The essence of transformations of the irrigated agriculture management system is disclosed, which involves the transfer of irrigation systems management from state structures to non-governmental organizations. In this case, the transfer of powers and responsibilities from state structures to non-governmental organizations can be carried out with the transition stage of joint management, which is the most rational in the current conditions. Found that the formation of effective management system is impossible without institutionalization of a wide spectrum of forms of partnership relations between different objects of functioning. It is shown that the reforming of irrigation systems management should be carried out on the basis of decentralization with the transfer of water management and water operations to water, this will ensure that water resources and irrigation system infrastructure are managed effectively at the lowest level. The basic directions of improvement of the economic mechanism of development of reclamation are offered.

The article deals with issues of management and financial support land use water resources Ukraine in terms of decentralization. It was established that one of the obstacles to decentralization in Ukraine is the lack of necessary funding infrastructure upgrades lands of water fund. The necessity of reforming the institutional system of water use on the lands of water fund, through the implementation of new institutional forms of economic development, water resources, focused on the water and agricultural needs of communities. In particular, they provide for the establishment of partnerships between the state and private enterprise entities and ensure diversification of investment water management and protection projects.

The article is devoted to the current problems of institutional reform to attract investment in the modernisation and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure and cover the costs of its operation. To address these issues, in 2019 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Irrigation and Drainage Strategy until 2030 and in 2020 a corresponding action plan for its implementation. However, the reform process is delayed conditioned upon systemic environmental, economic and cultural problems that create obstacles to change, primarily in the development and adoption of legislation regulating the formation and operation of new institutions (water user associations and management of state reclamation systems, etc.). The purpose of the article was to present the results of analytical studies examining Ukrainian and international experience in irrigation management reforms and assessing the likely risks that may arise in this way and forming a vision for managing the implementation of the Irrigation and Drainage Strategy until 2030. The study was performed using the following methods: systematic analysis of the functioning of the irrigation sector in Ukraine; comparison (determination of properties and characteristics based on collected information and statistical data on reform processes in the field of land reclamation in Ukraine and the world), abstract − logical (theoretical generalisations and formulations of categories and conclusions. The existing reform processes in the field of land reclamation in Ukraine are analysed, it is noted that in a market economy, effective maintenance and development of water reclamation complex can take place only in partnership with the state and the private sector. As a result of research of Ukrainian and international experience, the principles and mechanisms of effective implementation of transformations in irrigation management are proposed and consider socio-economic and cultural aspects of reform processes in Ukraine and possible risks arising from international experience. Specific recommendations for managing the reform process are provided. The application of the proposed methods of reform will ensure investment in the modernisation and rehabilitation of water infrastructure and further sustainable use of irrigated land.

The development of an integrated state policy for the restoration of the irrigation and the implementation of appropriate institutional changes and the introduction of new financial and economic mechanisms for its sustainable operation. Institutional changes in irrigation management are becoming the main condition for attracting investment in restoration and modernisation of irrigation infrastructure. Existing developments in the transformation of irrigation management in Ukraine require assessment and alignment with the realities of existing agriculture practice and the state of formation of the general water policy of Ukraine in recent years and also taking into account other reforms, such as land reform and decentralization in rural management. The aim of the research was to adapt the methodological principles of irrigation management transformation to modern conditions of agricultural production and directions of reforming water resources management and water infrastructure (the main state water management and reclamation infrastructure and on – farm irrigation systems). To select a sustainable model of institutional reform in the management of irrigated systems in Ukraine, systems analysis and the method of scenario planning and indicative comprehensive assessment of scenarios is proposed. Based on the use of PEST and SWOT-analysis of general socio-economic and political conditions, the state of modern agricultural production and the use of irrigation, three most probable scenarios of irrigation reform are proposed and an analysis of benefits and risks for each of them were conducted. A method of comparative indicative assessment of different scenarios for the implementation of institutional reform has been developed, which characterizes the efficiency of water use and irrigated agriculture in the creation of new institutions and risks to ensure quality services for water users.