Comparison of practices

• Use of water resources
• Use of land resources

Use of water resources

Country: Turkmenistan

Province: Ahal Region

District: Baharly District

Other settlement: Sh. Batyrov Daikhan Association

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Province: Chuy Region

District: Sokuluk District

The site is located in the mid streams of the Amu Darya River (desert crust and virgin soils lands)

The site is located in a semi-drought zone subject to acute shortage of water resources in summer period and land degradation

Start date: 01.01.2014

End date: 31.12.2014

Start date: 01.01.2011

End date: 31.12.2011

Water deficit, poor irrigation technology

Extremely low water availability (supply) of pastures; the quantity of cattle in watering sites below standard; land erosion

Wheat irrigation technology based on Valley Sprinkling Machine

Technology of springs arrangement for stock watering

The sprinkler is produced by the US Valley Company established in 1946 and considered one of the world leading designers and manufacturers of water-efficient irrigation and water supply equipment for agriculture, industry and municipal purposes.

Actions:

The first case of using such a large-scale sprinkling irrigation machine in Turkmenistan’s agriculture.  The machine’s operation does not require careful field planning.  The machine’s scale (extension up to 1,000 meters) allows it to irrigate up to 300 hectares of land. Frontal installation with reinforced irrigating shoulder bars moves back and forth across the field and ensures uniform watering of the whole acreage.

The government provides a 10-year soft loan with 1% annual interest rate to procure such units.

Results:

Application of water sprinklers allows the two-fold saving of water resources and higher yields. Due to its overall high quality and advantages, Turkmenistan’s agricultural producers became interested in the technology – multiple orders were placed to procure and install such smart sprinkling machines.

Actions:

At first, the exact location of water outcrop was identified and cleaned from mud.  15 meters below the outcrop, 3 interconnected water tubs were installed (each 1.8 m long, 0.5 m wide and 0.5 deep).  Each subsequent tub is located lower than the preceding one, thus, allowing water flowing down in the cascade manner.

Results:

Financial and economic:

Cattle gaining weight quicker.

Technical:

Improved water supply in the area, including for cattle watering.

Lessons learnt:

Advantage of sprinkling machines:  

• fitting with fertilizer administration units;
• fitting with units for spraying disease, pest and weed control agents;
• capable to replace water spraying tractors;
• no need for seasonal field works;
• lower agricultural production costs.

Recommendations:

After successful testing, other candidates for the installation of irrigation machines declared their corresponding desire (Ashyk Aydyn Daikhan Association of Rukhubelent Etrap of Dashoguz Velayat that already installed a different type of sprinkling system covering 174 hectares).  Since Akhal Region is close to the capital, it is necessary to introduce more water-efficient technologies focusing on garden and cucurbit crops to address food supply issues.

Lessons learnt:

Collection of water in one place had been practiced since ancient times, but was forgotten over time.  Rehabilitation of traditional practices should be welcomed.

Recommendations:

Similar practices should be scaled-up and continued as they not only benefit the local population, but also allow enhancing water availability for wild animals and expanding hayfield meadows.

• Domestic tools (outcomes of research by domestic R&D organizations),
• Foreign tools (transfer of foreign experience)

Traditional tools transferred from generation to generation which demonstrate their relevance in modern conditions

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

http://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/?id=7813 

WOCAT.net, Mr. Abdybek Asanaliyev (e-mail: asanaly61@mail.ru), Kyrgyz National Agriculture University, Bishkek

SIC ICWC

SIC ICWC