Water deficit in the new agricultural season is expected in the south

Kyzylorda region is located in the very lower reaches of the trans-boundary Syrdarya River and is directly dependent on the volume of water coming from above. Last year, the shortage of irrigation water created a number of difficulties with the shortage of water resources. According to expert forecasts, this year the water level will further decrease, World of NAN reports, citing the Kyzylorda regional akimat.

Before the beginning of the spring field work and the sowing campaign, Akim of the region, Gulshara Abdykalikova, held an expanded meeting on preparations for the growing season 2022 and the WPI, to discuss further plans and work on the status of the irrigation water supply.

The head of the region instructed to consider ways of conserving water during the growing season and promptly take a set of necessary measures.

"As of today, the volume of water in the Naryn-Syrdarya reservoir, which regulates the flow of the Syrdarya River, is 17 billion 771 million cubic meters, which is 1 billion 954 million cubic meters less than last year. Therefore, the situation with irrigation water this year will be even more difficult than last year. Accordingly, in order to provide water for crops in Zhanakorgan district, it is necessary to speed up a joint decision with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan on raising the water level in the Kelintobe main canal and procurement of necessary pumping equipment through Kazvodkhoz enterprise," the regional Akim said.

At the meeting the head of the Basin Inspection on Regulation of Use and Protection of Water Resources "Aral-Syrdarya" Seylbek Nurymbetov reported on the current state of the water sector and forecasts for the current year in order to provide the necessary irrigation water during the growing season. He noted that the volume of water accumulated in the Shardara reservoir decreased by 1.1 billion cubic meters compared to the last year and in this regard, the volume of water limits should be revised.

The head of the Department of Agriculture Talgat Duisebayev noted that given the lack of water, with insufficient water volume, farmers will be forced to reduce the area of the main crop of the region-rice.

Also the Head of the Regional Department of Natural Resources and Regulation of Natural Resources Bauyrzhan Shamenov said that a Roadmap to prevent water scarcity was developed jointly with the sectoral ministry. That is, the map includes projects aimed at providing irrigation water and improving the environmental situation.

In turn, the Vice-Minister of Environment, Geology and Natural Resources Serik Kozhaniyazov reminded his colleagues of the difficult situation and stressed the need to effectively use all available opportunities. He also said that in the focus of the Head of the Government there is an urgent issue related to the Syrdarya water and there are currently active negotiations on this subject with the neighboring countries.

Summarizing the results of the meeting, the regional akim instructed the responsible institutions to complete the repair of water facilities before the start of the spring water collection campaign by April 1. In accordance with the schedule of water delivery to the region, the region was instructed to develop and submit a 10-day schedule of water delivery to each canal, and when approving the scheme of forecast crops to be sown in 2022, to increase the area of irrigated crops instead of reducing the rice crops with preserving the total sown area. Also, the Head of the region instructed Akims of cities and districts to consider the possibility of creating cooperatives of water users.

"Dear colleagues, we must work together, systematically and promptly take measures. At the same time, farmers should be understanding and switch to technologies of efficient water usage. For example, the prices for alfalfa are now higher than for rice. Taking this into account, if we pay attention to this water-saving crop, we may consider the restoration of rice fields in the future. In the future, we will establish a special headquarters. Every 10 days we must take appropriate actions", - stressed the head of the region.

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