Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Launch Joint Study to Revise Syr Darya Irrigation Regimes

Joint Initiative Addresses Water Scarcity in Syr Darya Basin

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have officially launched a collaborative study aimed at revising irrigation regimes within the critical Syr Darya River basin. The initiative, funded by a grant from the French Development Agency (AFD), seeks to optimize agricultural water use and enhance environmental sustainability across the region. The project, coordinated by the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (EC IFAS), is scheduled for completion by 2026.

Scope and Methodology of the Study

The comprehensive study focuses on refining the hydromodule zoning of the basin area, incorporating up-to-date climate data, soil characteristics, and other natural and irrigation-related factors. In Kazakhstan, the project specifically targets 550,000 hectares of irrigated farmland in the Turkestan Region and an additional 254,000 hectares in the Kyzylorda Region. Ground-level measurements are currently underway, complemented by advanced satellite-based remote sensing to ensure precise and comprehensive data collection. Fieldwork and monitoring activities are being conducted across four pilot sites within these Kazakh regions.

Key institutions involved in the research include the Kazakh Research Institute of Water Management and Uzbekistan's Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) of Central Asian countries. The hydromodule zoning process utilizes sophisticated geographic information systems (GIS) and Earth remote sensing technologies to analyze and map water usage patterns.

Addressing Decades of Outdated Practices

The necessity for this revision stems from the fact that existing hydromodule zoning has not been updated in four decades, failing to account for significant changes in climate, soil conditions, and land reclamation status. Talgat Momyshev, Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, highlighted the urgency, stating that the Aral-Syr Darya basin supplies water to over 35% of Kazakhstan's irrigated land, with approximately 98% of withdrawals dedicated to agriculture.

The findings from this research are expected to inform updated irrigation schedules, leading to increased crop yields, reduced soil salinization and land degradation, and improved water-use efficiency throughout the Syr Darya River basin. The project aims to guide the development of irrigated agriculture by adapting practices, crops, and cultivation methods to the increasing scarcity of water in the region.

International Cooperation for Sustainable Water Management

The French Development Agency (AFD) has authorized a €2 million grant to the EC IFAS to support this and other related projects under the Action Program for Assistance to the Countries of the Aral Sea Basin (ASBP-4). This financial backing underscores the international commitment to fostering sustainable water resources management in Central Asia, a region profoundly affected by climate change and water shortages.

This joint effort between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan represents a significant step towards enhancing regional cooperation in managing shared water resources. The project's successful implementation is anticipated to contribute substantially to the long-term environmental health and agricultural productivity of the Syr Darya basin.