Kazakhstan is accelerating the introduction of water-saving technologies, with plans to significantly expand their application over the coming years, reports
Kazinform, a partner of TV BRICS.
Head of the Division for State Monitoring of Groundwater and the Reclamation Status of Irrigated Land, Groundwater Department, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan Lazzat Ziyabekova noted that water conservation is becoming a central direction in the context of climate change and increasing pressure on water resources. She emphasised that agriculture remains the largest consumer of water, making efficiency improvements particularly important.
According to official data, the area covered by water-saving technologies in Kazakhstan has already exceeded 500,000 hectares. Over the past year alone, the expansion reached more than 150,000 hectares, reflecting a marked acceleration in implementation rates.
The country aims to scale this figure to 1.3 million hectares by 2030. This expansion is expected to enable water savings of up to 2.2 billion cubic metres, supported by increased public investment and the introduction of economic incentives, including improved tariff policies designed to promote rational water use.
According to the
source, digital transformation is also becoming a core element of the sector’s modernisation. A key step has been the transition to electronic agreements with farmers, allowing water needs to be defined in advance and enabling more precise forecasting of supply through irrigation channels. Farmers now specify crop plans and expected water volumes digitally, which allows authorities to calculate demand and gradually automate distribution through dedicated applications, ensuring more efficient, scheduled allocation of resources.
Alongside technological upgrades, the approach also includes awareness-building initiatives. Educational programmes are being implemented to encourage responsible water consumption, particularly among younger generations, reinforcing long-term behavioural change alongside infrastructure development.