ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 4. Kazakhstan plans to invest 173.7 billion tenge ($348 million) in upgrading its water supply and irrigation systems in 2025, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov announced at a government meeting, Trend reports.
"A total of 98 projects will be implemented under the Comprehensive Water Sector Development Plan, with most funding coming from the national budget," he said.
According to the minister, additional contributions will include 6.5 billion tenge ($13 million) from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 24.4 billion tenge ($49 million) from the Islamic Development Bank, and 29.6 billion tenge from a special fund.
Key initiatives include improving access to drinking water for 153 settlements, benefiting 423,000 people. To achieve this, 12 of 24 planned regional water pipeline projects are set for completion by the end of the year.
Additionally, 1,953 kilometers of irrigation channels will be commissioned, covering 256,000 hectares of farmland. The total investment in these irrigation projects will amount to 92.3 billion tenge ($185 million), supporting Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector.