Almaty (TDI): In a significant agreement, Kazakhstan is set to receive 11 billion cubic meters of irrigation water from the Syr Darya River by April 2025, following discussions led by Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation.
The deal was brokered during the 87th session of the Interstate Coordination Water Management Commission, held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and attended by water resource officials from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, with Kyrgyzstan participating as an observer.
The deal aims to fill the Shardara reservoir in southern Kazakhstan by April 1 next year, ensuring sufficient water for the nation’s 2025 irrigation season.
This influx of water is critical for Kazakhstan’s arid southern region, where agriculture is heavily dependent on irrigation supplied by upstream neighbors like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Also Read: ADB President in Kazakhstan to Mark 30-Year Partnership
Reflecting on the collaborative efforts, Minister Nurzhigitov stated, “This year, through negotiations and joint actions, we successfully managed water distribution in the Syr Darya basin.”
He further noted that agreements with Kyrgyzstan on water and energy cooperation were executed, and the Bakhri-Tojik reservoir in Tajikistan was coordinated to optimize water flow for the current irrigation season.
Also Read: Kazakhstan, France Strengthen Investment Partnership
The accord underscores the importance of regional cooperation in addressing water scarcity, as Central Asian countries increasingly work together to manage shared water resources amid growing environmental and agricultural demands.
