Donors to allocate $172 million for Kyrgyzstan's irrigation upgrades

International donors are set to provide $172 million to Kyrgyzstan for a significant project aimed at modernizing the country's irrigation systems. The initiative seeks to bolster water security, enhance irrigation efficiency, and increase agricultural productivity in the face of growing climate-related risks.

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The republic has set itself the task of modernizing irrigation networks and making water access more reliable for farmers and rural communities.

The project will receive substantial funding from various international financial institutions and development partners. The World Bank has already approved $95.75 million to finance Kyrgyzstan's national irrigation investment program. Additional support includes $50 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, $20 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development, and a $6.25 million grant from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Hugh Riddell, the World Bank Country Manager for Kyrgyzstan, highlighted the republic's commitment to modernizing its irrigation networks and ensuring more reliable water access for farmers and rural communities. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Kyrgyzstan's economy and a vital source of employment. However, outdated irrigation infrastructure and significant water losses have hampered productivity.

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Agriculture remains one of the key sectors of the economy of the country and an important source of employment. However, outdated irrigation systems and large water losses continue to hold back productivity.

This new project is designed to mitigate these challenges through infrastructure upgrades, management reforms, and improved maintenance of irrigation systems. The implementation of the project is scheduled to continue until 2032, promising long-term benefits for the agricultural sector and the nation's food security.

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The new project should help reduce these risks by modernizing infrastructure, reforming management, and improving the maintenance of irrigation systems.