Interactive map of the best practices

on the use of water, land and energy resources,
as well as the environment of Central Asia

Comparison of practices

Название практики Increasing water availability of pastures by constructing sardobas Irrigation of pastures and hayfield meadows using Simulta-neous Impulse Sprinkling Kit (KSID-10S)
Category Water resources Water resources
Tool System for enhancing water availability Sprinkling system
Field of application
  • Use of water resources
  • Use of land resources
  • Environmental protection

Use of water resources

Usability of practice for adaptation to climate change Moderate Moderate
Implemented by Ministry of Nature Conservation of Turkmenistan
Kazakh Water Management Research Institute (KazNIIWKh)
Used by

Country: Turkmenistan

Country: Kazakhstan

Province: Jambyl Region

Local specifics

17,238 ha of barkhan (sand dune), takyr (dry-type playa) and solonchak (moist-type playa) sites of the Kara Kum Desert; deep ground water occurrence

The site is located in the foothills with significant difference in elevation

Practice usage period

Start date: 01.01.2012

End date: 31.12.2016

Start date: 01.01.2006

End date: 31.12.2007

Problem solved through this practice

Desertification and decreased productivity of desert pastures due to over-grazing around existing cattle watering sites

Water erosion, discharge, uneven distribution of irrigation water, poor yields

Tools used in the practice

Technology of building sardobas (stone-dome covered water collection and storage reservoirs) to enhance pasture water supply

Technique and technology for irrigation based on Simultaneous Impulse Sprinkling Kit (KSID-10S)

Description of the practice and its results

Main actions:

  • mudflow and flood risk assessment and surveying local population regarding sardobas’ locations.

Actions:

  • selection of takyrs to construct sardobas jointly with local cattle-farmers;
  • construction of sardobas jointly with local cattle-farmers;
  • cleaning takyr surfaces.

Results:

  • pastures that were not previously utilized due to absence of water sources returned to pasture rotation;
  • pastures destroyed due to over-grazing started to restore;
  • increased herd productivity due to reduced passage distances and higher fodder value of pastures.

Actions:

Deployment of the Simultaneous Impulse Sprinkling Kit (KSID-10S) allowing extremely uniform and simultaneous dispersion of irrigation water across all sections of arable pasture or hayfield meadow.  Water expenditure at the impulse device makes 0.05-0.3 l/sec and 0.25-2.0 l/sec in the irrigation pipeline, thus, reducing (3-4 times) the costs associated with the pipeline network installation compared to other sprinkling systems (kits). The pipeline network is built of 15-25 mm diameter pipes easy to transport and assemble in mountainous conditions.

Technical characteristics:

Operation modes: automatic and manual

Irrigated area: 10 ha

Water consumption: up to 100 m3/day

Average sprinkling (rain) intensity: 0.002-0.008 mm/min

EFFICIENCY: 99%

MOC: 98%

Watering automation level: 100%

 

Results:

  • Ensured water supply according to crops requirements with the account of changing weather conditions and moisture deposits in active soil layer;
  • Elimination of : 1) water-induced soil erosion, 2) puddling and 3) discharge run-off;
  • No need for water recirculation among irrigation sections.
Lessons learnt and recommendations made

Lessons learnt:

Construction of sardobas in takyr areas allows enhancing pasture water supply, thus, leading to the restoration of over-grazed pastures.

Recommendations:

The practice requires long-term planning and an integrated response with the early-on engagement of desertification experts (designing a set of measures to protect takyrs from sand drifts), state agencies (technical assistance) and pasture users (observance of pasture rotation schemes, prevention of takyrs from contamination and pollution).

Lessons learnt:

The advantages of impulse sprinkling irrigation were confirmed by the research efforts on other test sites of KAZNIIVKh in Jambyl Region that allowed increasing biological productivity of Golden Delicious apple variety by 10.1-36.8%, and commercial productivity – by 16.6-49.4% compared to conventional sprinkling irrigation systems.

Recommendations:

It is necessary to continue application of similar practices in foothill areas in Central Asia subject to power supply shortages.

Source of practice

Traditional tools transferred from generation to generation that proved their efficiency in modern conditions

Domestic tools (outcomes of research by domestic R&D organizations)

Readiness for implementation

1. Cost of implementation: Low

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha: $1,000-5,000

3. O&M costs: Low

4. Expert support: Needed at implementation stage

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

Brief information on the project

Project title: Responding to climate change risks for dekhan farming system of Turkmenistan on national and local levels.

Project duration: 2012-2016. 

Project goal and objectives: build the adaptation capacity to respond to climate change impacts, including variability on local and national levels. 

Project beneficiaries: Bori Settlement (over 1,100 people) and Bo-Kurdak Settlement (about 4,500 people).

Project implementer: Ministry of Nature Conservation and UNDP

Funding source Government of Turkmenistan, Adaptation Facility Ministry of Agriculture of the RK
Information sources

tm.undp.org

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SIC ICWC

SIC ICWC

Form submission date 04.04.2018 30.03.2018

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