Farmers in Kyzylorda region aim for bountiful harvest

The water level in the Syr Darya River in the Kyzylorda region is rising, which is expected to have a positive impact on crop yields. This year, local farmers have planted nearly 200,000 hectares of agricultural crops, with 83,000 hectares allocated for rice cultivation. Thus, specialists anticipate significantly higher yields compared to last year’s average of 49 centners per hectare. To date, a substantial amount of water flows into the region daily, with the Syr Darya River alone contributing 650 cubic meters per second. Additionally, water-saving technologies are being effectively implemented and utilized in the area.

«The preservation of the Aral Sea is a concern for the global community. Last summer, the water inflow into the Aral Sea did not exceed six or seven cubic meters. Today, the monthly water inflow has reached 65 cubic meters. We believe we will increase this figure to 100-200 cubic meters and achieve our projected forecast,» said Kairatbek Sarsenbayev, head of the Aral-Syr Darya basin inspection.

Water scarcity issues have prompted cucurbit crop growers not only to adopt but also to refine various water conservation methods. Modern water-saving systems allow farmers to reuse irrigation water. Moreover, the number of farms implementing advanced drip irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting methods is on the rise. Such installations are available in all major farms across the region.

«We have implemented water-saving technologies. Rainfed and drip irrigation methods are currently used in the cultivation of corn, alfalfa, and various melon crops. We have planted over 4,000 hectares of land. Next year, we plan to increase the sowing area,» shared Yersultan Apetov, deputy head of the agriculture and land relations department of the Kyzylorda region.