Kazakhstan accelerates irrigation canal modernisation to strengthen water management

Kazakhstan is continuing a large-scale programme to reconstruct and modernise its irrigation infrastructure, with more than 4,600 canals undergoing upgrades. According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, work on 962 kilometres of canals is scheduled for completion this year, improving water supply for approximately 200,000 hectares of irrigated farmland, reports Kazinform, a partner of TV BRICS.

The ministry stated that around 1,500 kilometres of irrigation canals were reconstructed and modernised during 2024 and 2025. By the beginning of 2026, 46 projects had been completed, while work continues on another 21 projects. So far, 502 kilometres of canals have been reconstructed out of the planned 717 kilometres.

As part of the "Development of Climate-Resilient Water Resources" initiative, construction and installation work has begun on 88 irrigation canal reconstruction projects this year.

Efforts are also focused on introducing digital technologies into water management. In Kazakhstan's southern regions, automation has begun on 103 irrigation canals with a combined length of 968 kilometres, serving around 65,000 hectares of irrigated land.

"Automation is also underway on 270 canals with a total length of 1,184 kilometres that were previously reconstructed. Design and cost estimates are being prepared for 264 projects to reconstruct irrigation canals, incorporating automation elements and modern water accounting systems," said Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Zhandos Salimov.

Modernisation is also continuing under the roadmap for the Satpayev Canal, including the replacement of 19 pumping units and 17 transformers.