DUSHANBE, May 24, Asia-Plus — The irrigating water supply situation still remains complex in the northern Sughd province, Deputy Land Reclamation and Water Resources Minister, Kamol Nouraliyev, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to him, Tajikistan last year was receiving irrigating water from neighboring countries at the rate of 13-16 cubic kilometers per second, while this year, the rate has reduced to 3.5-4.5 cubic kilometers per second. “The reduction has resulted from a 30%-42% decline in the water levels at the central Asian reservoirs,” the deputy minister said.
“We have recommended Sughd farmers to take necessary measures to minimize irrigating water losses,” said Nouraliyev, “Thus, irrigation system allows using water repeatedly.”
In the meantime, shallowness and infrequent precipitations have affected sowing campaign that may negatively impact this year’s harvests in northern Tajikistan. Because of dry spring the Sughd farmers had to re-sow cotton on the area of 904 hectares.
