Kazakhstan has recently announced a proactive initiative to promote water conservation and improve efficiency among farmers. This move comes in response to criticism from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who highlighted the slow implementation of water-saving technologies and their significant impact on water loss in certain regions.
The Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has set ambitious goals for the future, with a target of having 50% of the country’s irrigated land equipped with water-saving technologies by 2030. This will save up to 2.1 cubic kilometers of water annually, which is equivalent to over two million people’s daily water consumption needs. To support these efforts, subsidies for drilling irrigation wells have been increased to cover 80% of their costs, while collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture is ongoing to raise subsidies for installing such systems from 50% to 80% of their costs.
The new Water Code also offers financial incentives and reduced tariffs for water supply based on the adoption of water-saving technologies. Tariffs for irrigation water will be determined according to the types of crops being grown and the amount of water required for their production. This encourages farmers to adopt sustainable practices that conserve this valuable resource.
In addition, the ministry is working on digitizing over 3,500 kilometers of irrigation canals in southern regions such as Almaty, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda, and Turkestan. This project aims to improve metering accuracy on over 362 thousand hectares of irrigated land and potentially save up to 600 million cubic meters of water annually. The government is committed to sustainable water management practices that preserve this vital resource for future generations.
Overall, Kazakhstan’s proactive approach towards promoting sustainable agriculture through efficient use of resources is commendable. By investing in technology and providing incentives for adopting sustainable practices, Kazakhstan can ensure that its agricultural sector remains competitive while protecting the environment and preserving its natural resources for future generations.
