Comparison of practices

Use of water resources

Use of water resources

Country: Kazakhstan

Province: Jambyl Region

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Province: Chuy Region

District: Sokuluk District

The site is located in the foothills with significant difference in elevation

The site is located in a semi-drought zone subject to acute shortage of water resources in summer period and land degradation

Start date: 01.01.2006

End date: 31.12.2007

Start date: 01.01.2011

End date: 31.12.2011

Water erosion, discharge, uneven distribution of irrigation water, poor yields

Extremely low water availability (supply) of pastures; the quantity of cattle in watering sites below standard; land erosion

Technique and technology for irrigation based on Simultaneous Impulse Sprinkling Kit (KSID-10S)

Technology of springs arrangement for stock watering

Actions:

Deployment of the Simultaneous Impulse Sprinkling Kit (KSID-10S) allowing extremely uniform and simultaneous dispersion of irrigation water across all sections of arable pasture or hayfield meadow.  Water expenditure at the impulse device makes 0.05-0.3 l/sec and 0.25-2.0 l/sec in the irrigation pipeline, thus, reducing (3-4 times) the costs associated with the pipeline network installation compared to other sprinkling systems (kits). The pipeline network is built of 15-25 mm diameter pipes easy to transport and assemble in mountainous conditions.

Technical characteristics:

Operation modes: automatic and manual

Irrigated area: 10 ha

Water consumption: up to 100 m³/day

Average sprinkling (rain) intensity: 0.002-0.008 mm/min

EFFICIENCY: 99%

MOC: 98%

Watering automation level: 100%

Results:

• Ensured water supply according to crops requirements with the account of changing weather conditions and moisture deposits in active soil layer;
• Elimination of : 1) water-induced soil erosion, 2) puddling and 3) discharge run-off;
• No need for water recirculation among irrigation sections.

Actions:

At first, the exact location of water outcrop was identified and cleaned from mud.  15 meters below the outcrop, 3 interconnected water tubs were installed (each 1.8 m long, 0.5 m wide and 0.5 deep).  Each subsequent tub is located lower than the preceding one, thus, allowing water flowing down in the cascade manner.

Results:

Financial and economic:

Cattle gaining weight quicker.

Technical:

Improved water supply in the area, including for cattle watering.

Lessons learnt:

The advantages of impulse sprinkling irrigation were confirmed by the research efforts on other test sites of KAZNIIVKh in Jambyl Region that allowed increasing biological productivity of Golden Delicious apple variety by 10.1-36.8%, and commercial productivity – by 16.6-49.4% compared to conventional sprinkling irrigation systems.

Recommendations:

It is necessary to continue application of similar practices in foothill areas in Central Asia subject to power supply shortages.

Lessons learnt:

Collection of water in one place had been practiced since ancient times, but was forgotten over time.  Rehabilitation of traditional practices should be welcomed.

Recommendations:

Similar practices should be scaled-up and continued as they not only benefit the local population, but also allow enhancing water availability for wild animals and expanding hayfield meadows.

Domestic tools (outcomes of research by domestic R&D organizations)

Traditional tools transferred from generation to generation which demonstrate their relevance in modern conditions

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

WOCAT.net, Mr. Abdybek Asanaliyev (e-mail: asanaly61@mail.ru), Kyrgyz National Agriculture University, Bishkek

SIC ICWC

SIC ICWC