Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting on the passage of the growing season. Akim of the region, Nurlybek Nalibayev, took part in the conference call.
The current situation in the country, as well as in the southern regions, which account for 97% of the share of water consumption, measures taken in agriculture to adapt the cropping pattern to current conditions and transition to less water-intensive crops, the introduction of water-saving technologies were considered.
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Akims of Turkestan, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda, Almaty provinces and Jetisu region heard the report. According to the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, branches of RSE “Kazvodkhoz” organized water supply to agricultural producers. To date, 22.5 thousand contracts have been concluded, which is 3 thousand more than last year.
During the discussion, attention was paid to the situation on the Shu, Talas and Syrdarya rivers, and to ensuring transparency in water distribution. To stimulate water conservation, differentiated subsidies for irrigation water have been introduced: farmers who use water-saving technologies receive higher subsidies than those who do not use such technologies. In parallel, measures are being taken to combat illegal water use and prevent water theft.
Prime Minister noted that meeting the water needs of agrarians and meeting the needs of agriculture requires increased attention.
-Transition to proactive water risk management with emphasis on efficiency, cost-effectiveness and interagency cooperation is necessary. Akims of the region should ensure coordination of actions of water supply organizations with farmers to provide them with irrigation water, observance of irrigation technologies, irrigation sequence and reuse of collector-drainage water. It is necessary to strengthen work on the introduction of water-saving technologies. I instruct establishing regional headquarters on water risk management for the growing season with participation of representatives of concerned government agencies and farmers' associations. It is important to strengthen control over misuse of water and intensify work on detection of violations, - emphasized Olzhas Bektenov.
Akim of the region, Nurlybek Nalibayev, reported on the situation in the region at the meeting. He, particularly, noted that this year in the region, agricultural crops are placed on 189.4 thousand hectares. According to the Roadmap approved by the Government, this year compared to last year, the sown area under rice was reduced by 4.7 thousand hectares. The areas of less water-loving fodder and oil seed crops were increased.
-The limit for irrigation of crops in the amount of 3.9 million cubic meters of water was approved. Sowing works have been completed in the region; rice has been placed on 80.9 thousand hectares, fully flooded. To effectively use irrigation water, a number of measures have been taken with relevant ministries,"- N. Nalibayev said.
As of today, the area of laser leveled rice checks has grown to 60 thousand hectares, and with the application of water-saving technologies it has doubled to 8.1 thousand hectares.
Special working groups have been established in all districts to carry out explanation work, and efficient water use is under special control. The schedule of alternate water supply through main and inter-farm canals has been approved. In the region, 357 pumping units have been prepared; 180 of them have been launched. Last year, with support from the Government, there was no irrigation water deficit in the region. Meanwhile, at the meeting, Akim of the region asked for assistance in releasing at least 1.5 billion cubic meters of water from the Shardara reservoir.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kyzylorda/press/news/details/1021888?lang=kk