New dam to bring hope to farmers in Karabura

The rehabilitation of a dam in northwestern Kyrgyzstan is under way, aimed at improving irrigation facilities, a move expected to boost agricultural production in the area. The Karabura River is a major water source in the northwestern Talas province. The predominantly agricultural region lacks water for irrigation when it is needed most, making the dam's reconstruction an urgent priority. "It is difficult to live in this region and to grow fruit and vegetables due to the problems with water supply," Keneshbek, a local farmer in Aksy village of Karabura district, told IRIN. "Every year we pray to Allah to give us enough water to let the harvest grow," said another farmer from the Karabura village, echoing that view. According to the Talas provincial water management administration, Karabura district has the lowest water supply in the province. "Karabura district is the least water-secure area in the region. Other districts have 70-72 percent [of water requirements], while in Karabura that figure is only 60-65 percent. Almost 8,000 hectares do not receive water as needed every year," Kokunbek Tashtanaliev, head of the Talas water management body, told IRIN. The Karabura dam was initially planned for irrigation purposes in 1979, with construction starting in 1982. However, due to a lack of funds, work was suspended in 1990. Since then, a lack of water for irrigation has been one of the major problems for Karabura residents, who are mostly farmers growing kidney beans, a water-sensitive crop. However, the local farmers are optimistic as the reconstruction of the Karabura dam has been included into the World Bank's project to rehabilitate irrigation systems in the country at a cost of US $4.45 million. "The Karabura River has a high-water period, like any other river in Kyrgyzstan, in summer and there is a lack of water in spring. The problem is that all the high waters start in June-July, while watering of agricultural crops is needed in April-May," Nikolay Yudakhin, an engineer with the World Bank's irrigation project, explained. "Thus the area experiences a lack of irrigation water during the first and second watering periods, an issue that the Karabura dam is going to resolve by supplying water [when needed]." Another reason for building the dam is to mitigate the flood risk in the area. "The dam will also provide security for local residents as it will enhance control over water discharge," Yudakhin said. "Next spring, farmers will feel the results of the Karabura dam's rehabilitation. In parallel to the reconstruction of the dam, water will be stored during winter [to be released in spring]," Meyman Bazarbaev, an official responsible for technical supervision of the Karabura dam, told IRIN. The dam's rehabilitation is scheduled to be completed by July 2005.