| Problem solved through this practice |
Imperfections of the water management mechanism in the Isfara small transboundary river basin |
Surface irrigation is associated with considerable water losses, uneven root zone moistening, increasing irrigation-induced soil erosion, low labor productivity of irrigators, low irrigation system efficiency, etc. |
| Description of the practice and its results |
The Aspara River originates in the Western Tien Shan on the territory of Kyrgyzstan and flows northwards crossing the border with Kazakhstan. The river’s total length exceeds 44 km, and its catchment area amounts to approximately 66 km2. The Aspara River Basin is located in Chu Region in Kyrgyzstan’s northwest and Jambyl Region in Southern Kazakhstan. The basin is shared by several different ethnicities where they live and work. The basin’s population is rapidly growing, and the agriculture is developing. In many places along the course of the river, especially in its lower streams, the water doesn't meet quality and sanitary standards. Liquid waste produced by the population, industry and livestock production as well as solid waste constitute major sources of environmental pollution.
Project efforts were carried out in Jambyl Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chu Region of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Actions:
Establishment of 2 stakeholder groups, i.e. Small Basin Councils (SBC) – on both Kazakhstan’s and Kyrgyzstan’s sides of the river – representing local authorities, NGOs, water users and local communities. The SBCs already held 6 joint meetings proving the value of SBCs as platforms to exchange opinions and information as well as take joint decisions on enhancing the overall situation in the basin.
In addition, hydrometric posts were reconstructed and underwent certification, and the automated water distribution and accounting system was installed on the Mailybai Canal. The water supply system in the village of Cholok-Aryk also underwent reconstructed. A demo-site to demonstrate drip irrigation equipment and technology was established on the premises of Ravshan Farm receiving its irrigation water via the Mailybai Canal.
Results:
Thus, the creation of national Small Basin Councils (SBC) on the Aspara River ensured a platform for exchanging opinions and information as well as joint decision-making to improve the overall situation in the Aspara River Basin, including the development of the IWRM basin-specific plan. |
Actions:
- Construction of low-pressure impulse mist irrigation system (procurement of polyethylene piping, pumping unit, cassette filter);
- Installation of pumping equipment, settling pond, impulse mist sprinkling nozzles.
Results:
Financial and economic:
rational use of irrigation water; enhanced efficiency of water and land resources use; low cost ($4,164/ha) compared to the basic option ($4,326/ha).
Ecological:
no damage to atmosphere, water and soil and production of ecologically clean agricultural produce.
Technical:
the system operates under low pressure enough to ensure sufficient mist sprinkling irrigation (high-quality artificial rain) creating the necessary microclimate stimulating proper plant growth and development, ensuring even and highly uniform soil moistening; the system is easy to assemble and operate.
Social:
reduced irrigation costs on behalf of water users due to smaller volume of consumed irrigation water; increased profitability of farms due to higher crops productivity. |
| Lessons learnt and recommendations made |
Lessons learnt:
Introduction of IWRM principles is the pre-requisite of stable and fair water supply irrespective of a given water user’s location.
Recommendations:
Currently, when local stakeholders are represented in SBCs and are engaged in joint water management, it is necessary to continue the capacity-building efforts to build-up SBCs’ efficiency. In the long term, it might be necessary and possible to establish a joint body to manage the whole Aspara River Basin shared by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. |
Lessons learnt:
Low-pressure impulse mist irrigation system allows improving the overall conditions in greenhouses and/or lemon tree nurseries – rain-like water distribution curbs irrigation-induced soil erosion and unproductive water losses in the course of irrigation.
Recommendations:
It is necessary to widely deploy low-pressure impulse mist sprinkling systems with the aim of irrigation automation and saving irrigation water. |
| Readiness for implementation |
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
|
| Brief information on the project |
Development and implementation of basin plans constitute principal elements of integrated water resources management. Multi-agency coordination mechanism via basin councils or coordination groups is an important advantage of IWRM. This approach allows streamlined coordination and synergy of actions on all levels of management hierarchy.
Project title: Stakeholder partnership in joint policy-making: assistance to transboundary cooperation in small watersheds of Central Asia.
Project duration: Apr 2012-Oct 2016
Project goal and objectives: introduction of the integrated water resources management (IWRM) practice in three transboundary watersheds and its scaling-up in Central Asia.
Project beneficiaries: communities of the Aspara small transboundary river basin, specialists of water and environmental agencies, farmers.
Project implementer: USAID/CAREC. |
Project title: Low-pressure impulse mist sprinkling system for greenhouses and/or lemon tree nurseries.
Project duration: Apr 2012-Oct 2013.
Project goal and objectives: development and deployment of new low-pressure impulse mist irrigation system for greenhouses and lemon tree nurseries in the context of acute water shortage to ensure even distribution of irrigation water, exclude irrigation-induced soil erosion and unproductive irrigation water losses, thus, leading to water and power saving.
Project beneficiaries: “Ziroatkor” Farm.
Project implementer: Sh. Shotemur Tajik Agrarian University |
