EDB: Sustainable Irrigation Project in Kazakhstan Moves into the Implementation Phase
Astana, 5 August 2026
The project to establish a modern sustainable irrigation system in Kazakhstan has moved from the preparation stage to practical implementation. Water metering automation work has already begun at facilities of the Shardara Reservoir, mobile hydrological monitoring stations have been procured, the site for the future regional centre for modern irrigation has been selected, and terms of reference have been prepared for the development of a feasibility study for the Kenderlyk Dam.
The project is supported by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and implemented in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Arman Ahunbaev, Head of the Center for Sectoral Analysis at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), presented progress on the technical assistance project “Development of a Business Ecosystem for Sustainable Irrigation in Kazakhstan” at the third meeting of the Coordination Council of Water Sector Development Partners under the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Key project results to date
• Eight facilities at the Shardara Reservoir are covered by ongoing water metering automation work.
• Mobile hydrological monitoring stations have been procured, with the first pilot installation planned on an inflow to the Shardara Reservoir.
• The site for the regional centre has been selected — the Turkestan branch of the Kazvodkhoz Republican State Enterprise; the centre’s concept has been refocused on hands-on training.
• Terms of reference have been prepared for the Kenderlyk Dam to support a feasibility study for its construction.
At the hydraulic structures of the Shardara Reservoir, the project provides for the installation of water-level and flow sensors transmitting data online. This will eliminate manual readings, accelerate access to information and improve the efficiency of water resource management.
“Water conservation is not simply a matter of installing individual sensors or holding one-off training sessions. Data must be translated into management decisions, technologies into practical skills, and pilot solutions into a foundation for wider replication. This is how digitalisation, skills, infrastructure and regulation come together in a single business ecosystem,” said Arman Ahunbaev, Head of the Center for Sectoral Analysis at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB).
The next element of the digital system will be mobile hydrological monitoring stations, which will allow monitoring to be deployed rapidly where no fixed infrastructure is available or where monitoring needs to be strengthened. Going forward, the integrated digital system will combine automated data collection, water availability forecasting, water-balance calculations and water allocation planning across the entire chain — from source to end user.
Regional centre for modern irrigation and pilot farm
The practical hub of the project will be the regional centre for modern irrigation. It is expected to feature interactive equipment, tools for hands-on training in drone technologies and a demonstration field showcasing solutions from domestic manufacturers.
A model irrigated farm will be integrated with the centre, bringing together data on soils, salinity, weather conditions, water availability and crop status. The pilot site will demonstrate the full water management cycle — from the irrigation canal to the field — while also serving as a training base for farmers and specialists.
Next stage — infrastructure and new rules
The project also covers the development of water infrastructure. EDB and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation are discussing the terms of reference for the Kenderlyk Dam feasibility study. The feasibility study is expected to assess environmental and social risks, climate factors, biodiversity and stakeholder engagement, as well as the possibility of combining irrigation, flood protection, hydropower generation and environmental flow releases.
Under the second tranche, work on the regulatory and legal component will begin, covering the transition to payment based on the actual volume of water used, improvements to tariff mechanisms and modern irrigation standards, regulation of equipment, and measures to stimulate investment.
Together, the project links digital water metering, capacity development, technology pilots, infrastructure development and improvements to the regulatory framework. Its goal is to build a long-term model of sustainable irrigation in Kazakhstan, with the potential for subsequent scaling across Central Asia.
Additional Information:
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is a multilateral development bank investing in Eurasia. For 20 years, the Bank has worked to strengthen and expand economic ties and foster comprehensive development in its member countries. By the end of December 2025, the EDB’s cumulative portfolio comprised 348 projects with a total investment of US $22,1 billion. Its portfolio consists principally of projects with an integration effect in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The Bank adheres to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ESG principles in its operations.
The EDB is implementing three mega-projects as part of its 2022–2026 Strategy: the Eurasian Transport Network, the Eurasian Agricultural Goods Distribution System and the Central Asian Water and Energy Complex.
The EDB Media Centre:
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Background
The “Development of a Business Ecosystem for Sustainable Irrigation in Kazakhstan” project is scheduled for 2025–2029. Its budget is approximately US$5.3 million. The project is supported by EDB and implemented in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and UNDP. It brings together five areas: digitalisation of water management, capacity development, modern irrigation pilots, multipurpose reservoir management and regulatory reform. The foundation of the project was the report 'Efficient Irrigation and Water Conservation in Central Asia'. You can learn more at the following link: https://eabr.org/en/analytics/special-reports/efficient-irrigation-and-water-conservation-in-central-asia/