Kazakhstan: 4,600 km of irrigation networks being modernized — water for 200,000 hectares

At the Government meeting on October 29, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov reported on the reform of the water sector. Since September 2023, capital investment in the sector has reached about 1 trillion tenge (≈ $2.2 billion), and more than 4,600 km of irrigation networks are now being modernized. Some 964 km are due to be finished by the end of the year, improving water supply to about 200,000 hectares of irrigated land.

Key figures

• Investment: ≈ ₸1 trillion (≈ $2.2 bn)
• 4,600 km of networks upgraded
• 964 km by the end of 2026
• ≈ 200,000 ha get more water
• Water saving on 702,000 ha
• IFI loans: ≈ ₸2.2 trillion (≈ $4.8 bn)

What changed

A new Water Code has been adopted, setting the principles of rational water use, water saving and water security. The law tightens the requirements on cutting water losses and complying with contract terms and strengthens state control. Over the past two years more than 1,400 km of canals, 5 reservoirs and 8 hydraulic structures have been rebuilt. To develop new irrigated land near large water sources, loans from international financial institutions are being raised — current and planned funds total about 2.2 trillion tenge (≈ $4.8 billion).

In figures

Agriculture accounts for about 60% of the country's total water withdrawal. Water-saving technologies are now used on 702,000 hectares, saving about 1.1 billion m³ of water. Step-by-step tariff increases at the state enterprise Kazvodkhoz have made it possible to build an investment program of more than 100 billion tenge (≈ $220 million). More than 29,000 contracts have been signed this year through the National Water Resources Information System — the whole path from application to payment is automated.

Tariffs for water users

Tariff policy is being tightened: higher tariff coefficients now apply for consumption above the norm, for changing the crop structure without approval and for using water without a contract.

What it means for a buyer

For irrigated farms there are two practical takeaways. First, more water on irrigated land: finishing 964 km of networks this year should improve water supply to about 200,000 hectares. Second, stricter rules: the crop structure on irrigated plots has to be agreed and water taken under a contract, otherwise the higher tariff applies. Both are worth keeping in mind when planning crop rotation and preparing machinery for the 2027 season.

Source: Press service of the Government of Kazakhstan