In some Kazakhstan's rgns deterioration of irrigation and drainage systems up to 100% - Agriculture Ministry

ASTANA. November 4. KAZINFORM - In some regions of Kazakhstan deterioration of irrigation and drainage systems is up to 100 percent, this has been announced by the Minister of Agriculture Asylzhan Mamytbekov at the Government Hour in the Majilis.

"In the time of economic reform from the planned one to a market one there has been no investment in the water sector, that resulted in the heavy wear of irrigation and drainage systems and deterioration of the ecological and reclamative state of land. As a result, about 700,000 hectares of irrigated pieces of land were excluded from the turnover of irrigated land", said Mr.Mamytbekov.

The Minister said that in the southern regions of the country deterioration of irrigation and drainage system is more than 50 percent. In Pavlodar, West Kazakhstan and Atyrau regions this figure is equal to 100 percent.

According to Mr.Mamytbekov, direct result of poor technical condition of the channels is the high water loss during transportation. The efficiency of water systems is not exceeding 0.45-0.5. This means that the current 50-55 percent of water of the channels does not reach the fields. A major problem is the condition and use of drainage wells, 98 percent of which require rehabilitation. Because of the insecurity drainage when lifting the mineralized groundwater land undergoes water-logging and soil resalting.