| Project Detail |
Project Name Enhancing climate-resilient ground water management approaches
Project Number 52256-011
Country / Economy Kyrgyz Republic
Project Status Approved
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
The proposed sixth subgrant, Activity 6: Enhancing Climate-Resilient Ground Water Management Approaches, will reinvigorate on-farm ground water management approaches and improve service efficiency of the Water Resources Service (WRS), the executing agency (EA) of Activity 6. It is the same EA that is implementing the ongoing project L3746/G0632 Climate Change and Disaster-Resilient Water Resources Sector Project (the linked project). Due to significant decline of water resources, water from irrigation systems have become insufficient and its scarcity is exacerbated by climate change impacts. A decrease in summer precipitation by 10% and an increase in air temperature by 5
C will increase crop water requirements by 15-20%, higher evaporation rates from surface water (especially during summer), and soil moisture depletion, which can lead to drought-like conditions. Shifts in the seasonal cropping season and increases in water use for agriculture may lead to crop failure when irrigation water demand is unmet due to changes in the amount of streamflow. Farmers at the lower end of irrigation schemes are experiencing frequent water shortages, affecting agricultural livelihoods. Because of the water scarcity, previously irrigated land becomes saline and inadequate, reducing agricultural productivity and causing displacement of rural population. A solution to address this shortage is to use ground water as an alternative reliable water source. The proposed project will increase climate and disaster resilience, water productivity and income of agricultural communities in four districts (Aravan, Nookat, Leilek and Panfilov) and contribute to addressing rural poverty. While the linked project focuses on surface water irrigation schemes, Activity 6 will enhance water availability by introducing sustainable use of groundwater resources and improved water efficiency on farms.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy Strengthening resilience to climate change is underpinned by the countrys Water Code (2005) and the governments national development, climate change, and sector strategies. The State Programme on the Development of Irrigation of the Kyrgyz Republic (2017-2026) seeks more productive use of water resources through construction and modernization of infrastructure and introduction of improved technologies. Activity 6 will increase livelihood opportunities for rural communities including women, enhance food security, reduce water scarcity, and increase adaptive capacity of vulnerable smallholder farmers exposed to climate change impacts. WRSs capacity will be enhanced through improved management of irrigation and solar-pumping facilities, decreased operational costs, strengthened knowledge in climate change. Men and women farmers capacities will be developed for climate-resilient agricultural practices to protect their livelihoods under increasing variability and climate change. The pilot activity will demonstrate the use of the alternative groundwater source for irrigation, coupled with the effective management of ground water and introduction of climate smart agricultural practices. This will help farmers adapt to climate impacts including decreased water level and water stress. It will reduce their exposure to climate risks, improve access to water through boreholes, increase reliability of irrigation water supplies with the opportunity for conjunctive groundwater and surface water use and reduce dependency on the electricity grid. Farmers will be introduced to improved, climate-smart agriculture practices through extension work, including water saving on-farm technologies, and less water intensive cropping. |
