Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev traveled to the Kyzylorda region together with Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and Minister of Agriculture Aydarbek Saparov to meet with farmers and discuss preparations for the upcoming vegetation period, diversification of crop areas, and the introduction of water-saving technologies.

During the meeting, participants reviewed the current situation amid ongoing low-water conditions in the Syrdarya River basin. Water inflow into the Naryn–Syrdarya cascade has significantly decreased, creating the risk of water deficits during next year’s growing season.

To minimize potential impacts, the Ministry of Water Resources has developed several forecasted operational regimes for reservoirs and identified scenarios under which minimal inflow would require resource redistribution and adjustment of water limits.

To improve agricultural productivity under limited water availability and ensure food security, the Ministry of Agriculture continues its work on crop diversification by reducing the acreage of water-intensive crops and promoting drought-resistant, low-water-consumption varieties.

To ensure that all water users receive sufficient water and to prevent emergencies in the lower reaches of the Syrdarya River, the rice planting area in the Kyzylorda region must not exceed 70,000 hectares in 2026.

Despite annual reductions in planted areas, average yields continue to increase: 58 centners per hectare on 85,000 hectares in 2024 and 58.1 centners per hectare on 80,000 hectares in 2025. This improvement is supported by the introduction of new rice varieties and the use of modern machinery.

The region is also expanding the use of water-saving irrigation systems. To prevent water losses in fields, laser leveling is being implemented, which reduces water consumption by up to 20 percent and increases yield. This year, 60,000 hectares of rice fields were leveled.

The adoption of modern water-saving technologies reduces risks and ensures the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. Currently, such technologies are applied on more than 500,000 hectares across the country, with plans to increase this to 1.3 million hectares by 2030 — nearly 70 percent of all irrigated land. To reach these targets, the Government is implementing comprehensive measures, including improvements to subsidy mechanisms. The national budget for 2026–2028 provides general transfers for reimbursing investment costs, with funding increased to 215 billion tenge.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, under the expected significant reduction in water inflow during the upcoming vegetation season, water-saving technologies must become an essential element of crop production, alongside fertilizers and plant protection products. The administration of the Kyzylorda region, together with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Ministry of Agriculture, and scientific institutions, must designate at least 100 hectares for the use of innovative preparations and ensure their financial support through the local budget.

Farmers were also informed about the introduction of a billing system to enhance transparency in water use and further digitalize water resource accounting. This unified digital platform will integrate the entire cycle of water provision to farmers, from submitting applications and signing contracts to accounting for actual consumption and subsequent payment. The system will optimize processes, ensure transparent distribution and payments, and provide accurate monitoring of actual water volumes used.

Before the start of the vegetation period, the administration of the Kyzylorda region must conduct outreach activities to inform farmers.

Kazvodkhoz has been instructed to ensure the signing of irrigation water supply contracts strictly in accordance with approved limits for water-intensive crops. Together with law enforcement agencies, the organization must also strengthen efforts to combat the illegal water market during the upcoming vegetation period.

If water management conditions change, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation must submit regional water consumption limits for the 2026 vegetation period to the Ministry of Agriculture by 1 February 2026. The Ministry of Agriculture must then adjust the planting structure of water-intensive crops by 1 March 2026 in accordance with the actual volume of available irrigation water.

#Agroindustrial complex #Kanat Bozumbayev #water resources

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