State program to allow adding 66,500 ha of new irrigated lands

The State Program for Irrigation Development for 2017–2026 was approved in Kyrgyzstan. Information Support Department of the government’s office reported.

According to it, the overwhelming majority of the irrigation infrastructure in the republic is exploited for 30, 40 or more years. Taking into account the population growth in recent years, the need for the construction of irrigation facilities and the introduction of new irrigated lands is the most topical and urgent task for the country.

«The state program provides for the construction of irrigation infrastructure to provide rural residents with new irrigated land. The lands will improve the social and economic situation of citizens and ensure the development of the regions, and will also contribute to addressing food security issues and combating poverty," the department noted.

As reported, within the preparation of the state program, about a hundred of the existing irrigation facilities in the country have been examined, 46 water facilities have been selected, taking into account their relevance, economic and technical indicators, social significance for the regions, appeals of the residents to the president, the government and the parliament.

The program will allow to add 66,500 hectares of new irrigated lands, increase the water supply of 51,080 hectares, transfer from machine irrigation to the gravity one 9,500 hectares, improve the land-reclamation state of 50,000 hectares.