Agricultural Newsletter of Central Asia April 2025
This month we spotlight Kazakhstan’s strategies for water and biodiversity conservation, Uzbekistan’s lemon boom and ambitious plans reshaping the future of farming across the region, and Kyrgyzstan’s snow leopard corridor, let’s dive in!
Kazakhstan’s New Water Code
In April President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Kazakhstan’s new Water Code. Key elements include:
- Smarter water management with stronger public involvement.
- Enhanced flood control measures.
- Upgraded monitoring systems for faster response.
- Tougher safety standards for hydraulic infrastructure.
The reform elevates water security as a national priority, ensuring clean, sustainable resources for people, ecosystems, and industries.
Kazakhstan Greening the Future with Reforestation and Biodiversity Efforts
Kazakhstan is launching six new forest nurseries in 2025 with the capacity of 6 million seedlings each, and establishing massive protected areas like Merke Regional Park (86,000 ha) and Aral Reserves (471,000 ha). A strategic Concept for Biodiversity Conservation is also underway.
Investments are flowing into wildfire detection tech, upgraded forest rangers’ training centers, electronic payment systems and smart checkpoints.
Uzbekistan Targets Growth in Lemon Exports
Uzbekistan is squeezing every opportunity from its citrus potential!
A new program aims to boost lemon production to 72.5 thousand tons (+8.3%) and exports to 5.55 thousand tons (+15%) by 2026.
The newly established Denov Agro Star company will oversee an integrated chain from cultivation to export, including product packaging under the "Uzlemon" trademark.
Rice Farming Shifts Amid Water Shortages in Uzbekistan
Rice is one of the most important agricultural crops of Uzbekistan and the main ingredient of the diet of its 37 million people. The country even has a “plov (pilaf) index,” similar to the American “Big Mac index.” According to the official statistics, the annual per-capita rice consumption in Uzbekistan averages around 10 kilograms. Demand exceeds supply, forcing the import of rice from other countries.
Severe water shortages are forcing Uzbekistan’s rice farmers to migrate from traditional fields along the Amu Darya River to the Syr Darya region. Decreasing river runoff due to climate change, inefficient irrigation, and high water consumption have made traditional rice farming unsustainable.
Farmers have relocated up to 1,000 kilometers to continue growing rice. New technologies, including recycled water use and salt-resistant biotechnologies, are offering hope, but questions linger about whether land and water resources in Syrdarya will suffice to support all displaced farmers.
Kyrgyzstan Reconsiders Redirecting Siberian Rivers
Amid growing water scarcity, Kyrgyzstan has revived discussions on the Siberian Rivers Diversion project, originally proposed in the 1920s. The project would redirect rivers such as the Irtysh and Ob toward water-scarce areas of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Modern adaptations, such as using pipelines to minimize environmental damage, are being considered. Kyrgyzstan has emphasized its commitment to preserving the Aral Sea and contributing to regional ecological balance.
Kyrgyzstan Establishes Snow Leopard Ecological Corridor
The Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan has seen the creation of the Ak Ilbirs Ecological Corridor, covering over 792,000 hectares of prime snow leopard territory.
The corridor connects protected sites including Khan-Tengri State Nature Park, Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve, and Naryn Nature Reserve.
The initiative aims to preserve biodiversity, protect endangered species, and enforce strict environmental protection regulations, contributing significantly to Central Asia’s sustainable natural resource management.
LVVN team Astana will bring you more updates and developments from this significant region in the next edition!
Sources: Interfax, Kapital, Times of Central Asia, Global Voices, RIA, kun.uz, 24.kg