Kazakhstan to Establish Five Sustainable Irrigation Training Centers
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Kazakhstan plans to open five sustainable irrigation training centers in the Turkistan, Kyzylorda, Zhambyl, Almaty, and Zhetysu regions as part of efforts to improve water efficiency in agriculture, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has announced.
According to the ministry, the Kazakh Water Economy Scientific Research Institute and the state-owned company Kazvodkhoz will jointly develop a roadmap and technical design specifications for the implementation of the project.
The centers will function as specialized training and demonstration platforms, providing professional training and advanced skills development for water management specialists, while promoting the adoption of modern water-saving irrigation technologies. They will be equipped with educational, demonstration, and laboratory infrastructure to train farmers and agricultural enterprises in best available water-saving practices.
Plans also include the development and introduction of educational programs focused on sustainable irrigation, water distribution management, and the operation of irrigation systems. Industry stakeholders and international partners are expected to be engaged in the design of training curricula and the delivery of capacity-building activities.
In addition, the centers will serve as pilot sites for testing and disseminating best practices in irrigation and water management. The initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of agricultural water use, reduce water losses, and strengthen the human resource base in the irrigation sector.
The establishment of the regional training centers will be financed through grant funding, the ministry said.
