Kazakhstan plans irrigation water-for-electricity swap with neighbors

AKIPRESS.COM - The Kazakh authorities are developing intergovernmental agreements and programs to solve the problem of irrigation water shortages in the country, said Deputy Minister of Environment, Geology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan Serik Kozhaniyazov. Farmers in Kyzylorda region had to reduce rice planting area by 5000 hectares due to water shortages in the Syr Darya river from 89,400 in 2020 to 84,400 in 2021.
Kazakhstan will provide Tajikistan with equipment and fuel in exchange for water for irrigating rice, Kozhaniyazov said. Negotiations with Tajikistan are under way.
Kyrgyzstan will receive 370 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in exchange for 370 million cubic meters of water, while Uzbekistan will get 250 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, he said.
Tajikistan reportedly agreed to provide 315 million cubic meters of water from its reservoir Bakhri Tochik to Kazakhstan providing Kazakhstan with the necessary irrigation water during the summer months. The water will be delivered to Kazakhstan's Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions through Kyrgyzstan.