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.
