The Ministry of Agriculture of Kyrgyzstan plans to mobilize the population to clean irrigation canals next year. Almazbek Sokeyev, director of the State Water Resources Agency, said at a press conference in Bishkek.
«At least 65 percent of irrigation networks in Kyrgyzstan are in unsatisfactory condition. Unfortunately, our water user associations carry out only maintenance, minor repairs, which are often not enough. There have been no major repairs in the last 20 years.
On the instructions of the Cabinet of Ministers, local authorities will mobilize the population, public and private organizations to clean the irrigation networks, cleanups will be held. The problem is that we bring water to the canals of water users, but then, because of their wear and tear, there are high losses of irrigation water,» he said.
The Minister of Agriculture Askarbek Dzhanybekov reported today that 1 billion soms has been allocated from the budget for rehabilitation of the irrigation system of Kyrgyzstan. About 100 million have been allocated in November.
It is worth reminding that due to the low water period and drought, agricultural producers have faced serious problems this year. According to officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, a significant reduction in yields of all types of crops was registered.
