New year, new tariffs: Water tariffs for Kazakhstan's agrarians will increase from 2024

From January 1, 2024 in Kazakhstan is planned to increase water tariffs for the agricultural sector. This was informed by the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurlan Nurzhigitov. According to him, the average weighted tariff will increase by 1 tenge per cubic meter. This measure provides for an increase in salaries of industry workers by 25%, which will raise the average salary to 211 thousand tenge.

The ministry plans to attract more than 100 billion tenge of investment over five years. These funds will be used to repair and reconstruct irrigation systems. According to the minister, these changes will not have a significant impact on the cost of agricultural products, given the irrigation water subsidy program implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture. The program provides subsidies from 50 to 85% of water costs. In addition, the Minister noted that farmers who use water-saving technologies will be able to count on increased subsidies.

According to Zakon.kz, the Minister, answering questions from journalists on the sidelines of the Majilis, emphasized the relevance of the topic of water conservation in the country. The Minister pointed out the importance of continuous discussion and resolution of issues related to water tariffs in the context of the economic situation in the country. In response to the journalists' question whether it is necessary to increase tariffs for drinking water, he emphasized that consideration of water tariffs is one of the effective ways to form a careful attitude to water resources, including both irrigation and drinking water, among the population. The Minister noted that tariffs for drinking water are determined by local executive bodies. He pointed out the need to understand that tariffs for drinking water are set for a certain period of time, and their approval depends on each akimat separately.