Water for Farmers: Kazakhstan Invests Billions in Irrigation Projects

In 2025, Kazakhstan plans to commission approximately 1,000 kilometers of irrigation canals (275 facilities), covering around 200,000 hectares of irrigated land. The works are being implemented as part of a broad irrigation infrastructure modernization program, funded by the national budget and supported by international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the European Investment Bank.

According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, reconstruction is already underway on more than 6,000 km of canals (1,485 facilities) across the country. Between 2021 and 2024, major repairs and reconstructions were completed on 884 irrigation canals with a total length of 5,406 km.

In parallel with the modernization of the irrigation network, projects are being carried out to build and reconstruct reservoirs, which are expected to ensure the accumulation of flood and meltwater — especially valuable during the vegetation period.

The construction of new infrastructure is being financed through borrowed funds. The Islamic Development Bank has approved a loan and grant package for Kazakhstan totaling $2.7 billion. Construction of four new reservoirs is scheduled to begin in 2025. Three of them — Akmola, Kalgutty, and Karauzyak — located in the southern regions, are intended to address water shortages during the growing season for newly irrigated lands covering 22,500 hectares.

The fourth reservoir is planned for West Kazakhstan region on the Bolshoy Uzen River, with a volume of 28 million cubic meters. Its main function will be to collect floodwaters and prevent flooding of two populated areas with a combined population of around 5,000 people.
The large-scale project is divided into two phases. The first phase (2025–2027) provides for investments of $1.153 billion. The second phase (2027–2029) will require an additional $1.6 billion in funding.

The first phase also includes the modernization of reservoirs in Zhambyl Region (Ters-Ashybulak and Karakonyz) and in Turkistan Region (Koskorgan and the Koksaray counter-regulator). Furthermore, 115 canals with a total length of 3,452 km will be modernized across six regions (Almaty, Zhambyl, Zhetysu, West Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, and Turkistan), with digital elements being integrated. The plan also includes the construction of a special hydraulic structure to support the Astana Reservoir.
The second phase of the project will expand the geography to 10 regions, including Abay, Atyrau, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, and others. It will involve the construction of 13 new and reconstruction of 11 existing reservoirs, as well as the modernization of more than 5,000 km of irrigation canals.

The Ministry of Water Resources expects the implementation of these projects to significantly improve the state of water infrastructure, enhance the agricultural sector’s resilience to climate risks, and ensure stable water supply for farming needs.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
🔹By 2029, over 8,000 km of canals will be modernized across 10 regions, alongside 28 reservoir projects.
🔹The initiative is being implemented in two phases with a total funding of $2.7 billion backed by international banks.
🔹Irrigated land will increase by 200,000 hectares, and new reservoirs will protect 5,000 people from seasonal flooding.