While on a working visit to Zhambyl region, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov held a meeting with local agrarians, inspected the progress of construction works at the water channel "Senkibai" and familiarized himself with measures to improve the efficiency of water use during the growing season.

During the meeting of Alikhan Smailov with heads of regional agricultural formations the issues of subsidies, purchase of agricultural machinery and mineral fertilizers, irrigation water supply and a number of others were raised. In particular, the issue of compensation for crop losses incurred due to drought was raised.

Prime Minister noted that currently the issue of reimbursement of farmers' expenses by declaring a state of emergency of regional scale and allocation of funds from the reserve of the Government is being worked out.

"According to the plan, by the end of September all calculations will be fully made and appropriate funds will be allocated. We are also accelerating the issue of allocation of funds from the republican budget for subsidies and their timely payment. This work is under the control of the Head of State," Alikhan Smailov said.

Another question concerned the restoration of the gauging station "Zhasorken", which will allow to accurately distribute and record water. Prime Minister said that an order has already been given to allocate 450 million tenge from the reserve of the Government to carry out the relevant work.

"This work should be started already this year," he emphasized.

Answering another question, Alikhan Smailov noted that the possibility of increasing the share of reimbursement of agrarians' costs for drilling wells from the current 50% to 80% is currently under consideration.

In general, the area of irrigated lands in the region is 181.8 thousand hectares, and by 2025 it is planned to put into circulation another 54.9 thousand hectares through repair of infrastructure facilities and construction of 14 new reservoirs.

In order to rationally use water, water-saving technologies have already been introduced on 54.3 thousand hectares of land, by the end of the year this figure is planned to be brought to 57 thousand hectares. Regional Akim Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said that the emphasis is on the effective use of groundwater, drilling wells and implementation of other measures to save water.

To stimulate agrarians to apply water-saving technologies, state support in the form of investment subsidies is provided. It provides for reimbursement of 50% of the costs for the purchase of modern irrigation systems, as well as the installation of all necessary infrastructure. For several years, 385 farms have been supported for 5 billion tenge.

At the same time, projects on reconstruction and construction of irrigation canals, drainage systems and other structures on the total area of 53.9 thousand hectares are being developed. In particular, the canal "Senkibai" with a length of 21.8 km will provide water to 4 thousand hectares of irrigated land.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan was also reported on the implementation of the project "Auyl Amanaty". Developed with the support of the Head of State, it was launched in Zhambyl region in 2019 and proved its economic and social efficiency. A total of 42.3 billion tenge has been allocated for its implementation in the region from 2019 to 2023. As a result, about 11 thousand Zhambyl residents from 50 rural districts opened their own businesses.

#The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Agriculture #Construction #Economy #Infrastructural development