The first stage of testing of a Hungarian water-saving drug has been completed in Kazakhstan. At the initiative of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, 4 scientific research institutes participated in the tests.
These are the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Water Management in Taraz, the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Rice Growing named after I. Zhakhaev in Kyzylorda, the Agricultural Experimental Station of Cotton and Melon Growing and the Institute of Agrarian Innovations. During the tests, the effect of the drug on soil moisture in various groups and climatic conditions, as well as increasing yields under conditions of irrigation with small amounts of water, was studied.
According to scientists, the drug allows saving up to 37% of water in rice fields. Since rice is watered in the traditional way for 90 days, and when using the preparation to retain moisture, watering for 51 days is sufficient. 23.9% of water was saved on sugar beet irrigation, up to 28.7% on corn. Experts also note an increase in yields.
"The first stage of testing showed good results. Next, you need to check the effectiveness of the drug on large cultivated areas. To do this, we need to meet with farmers and show them the test results, and conduct explanatory work. The demand for irrigation water is growing every year, and our farms are interested in switching to modern methods of saving water," Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov said.
In turn, representatives of the Hungarian company Soil Solution stated that they intend to open a plant for the production of the drug in Kazakhstan if there is great demand from farmers.
"Today we are also considering the possibility of opening a factory for the production of our products in Kazakhstan. This will reduce travel costs. That is, the drug will become several times cheaper for farmers. It is also possible to export Kazakhstani–made products abroad," said Daniel Repassi, a representative of Soil Solution.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/water/press/news/details/915748