international water forum, istanbul may 2011
DESCRIPTION
Water and Food SecurityTRANSCRIPT
Issues of affecting food security in Turkmenistan
Guchgeldiyev O.T.Intetrnational Water Forum
Istanbul May 3, 2011
Background information on Turkmenistan• Territory: 469 ths. square km, incl. 326 ths s.
km of agricultural land• Population: 6 million people, 52% living in
rural area• More than 80% of desert with hot and semi-
arid climate
Food security issues (demand)
• Stable and rapid growth of population
• Increase in real incomes and food prices
Source: WB data
Food security issues (demand)
• Dependence of rural population on private plots’ production (>40%+ of food basket)
• Each family entitled to private plot 0.12-0.36 hectare for house construction which is partially used for food production (625 ths+ plots in 2005)
• No payments for water, gas and other utilities (production inputs) in rural areas
Source: Water and Food Security in Central Asia, edited by V. Duhovniy NATO Statistics document on Tukrmenistan
Food security issues (Supply)
• Increase of production of main food items
Source: http://www.fao.org/giews/countrybrief/country.jsp?code=TKM
Statistics documents on Tukrmenistan
Agricultural profile• Only 5% of total area is
cultivable. • Agriculture – largest
employer(48% of total labor)• Share in GDP – 12.3%
(compared to 28.9% in 1989)• All cultivable areas need
irrigation.
Source:Ivan stanchin, Lvi Lerman. Water in Turkmenistan (2007); National Environmental Action Plan (2000)
Agricultural land, incuding 40 202,1
Arable land, ths ha 1 642,7 Perenial plantations , ths ha
44,4
Fallow land
50,7
Hayfield
10,4
Grazing lands 38 453
Water sources
Source: NEAP 2002
Water resources in Turkmenistan
Source:N.&L.Orlovskiy « Water resources in Turkmenistan»
Statistics documents on Tukrmenistan
Source of Water Resources, in million cubic
metersCurrently used water
volumes, in million c. m.Permanent water sources Surface water 27 100 22800* Water wells with salinity less 3 g/l 3 300 3300Total permanent water sources 30 400 26100Temporary and alternative sourcesRunoff collected by traditional collection systems 332 NaSubsurface fresh water lenses 99 680 (1640) 11,95Fresh water lenses near rivers 307 NaTotal temporary and altern. water sources 100 319 (2279) 11,95Total water resources 130 719 26111,95* Estimated based at 90% probability flow.
Resources management issues`
• Management of river flows jointly with other countries– Solutions of discharge of drainage waters– Issue on energy-water nexus with Tajikistan– Water sharing mechanism in Atrek river
• Management of internal rivers – The management planing for river basin
Water resources in Turkmenistan
Source:N.&L.Statistics reports.
Statistics documents on Tukrmenistan
Water for irrigation issues`1
• High losses due to inefficient irrigation system - Silting of the main canals- Infiltration in secondary canal system- Evaporation during watering- Constant filling of canals due to dual crops uses (?)
• Salination of soils – Secondary salination – Lack of drainage capacity– Increased salinity of irrigation waters
Implementation of large projects
Distribution at welayat level
Mirab (field)
Management of irrigationMinistry of
water management
Welayat (regional)
branch
Welayat (regional)
branch
Welayat (regional)
branch
Etrap (district) branch
Etrap mechanized workshop
Mirab (field)
Mirab (field)
Specialized branches
(Golden Lake Trust)
Implementation of large projectsDistribution at welayat level
Distribution between farmers’ associations
No distribution mechanism
Water for irrigation issues`
Management of irrigation system- Strongly centralized (further centralization is
undeway)- Absense of participatory mechanisms
- Restaining access for household plots to water- No water distribution/management mechanism
at grass-root level
Other issues of irrigation water
Climate change implications:• Increased humidity– possible positive effect on productivity
• Decrease of water supply in main rivers due to lack of percipitation
• Possible adaptation costs:– Flow decrease by 5,5 c.km – US$ 16 bln/
Source: Atamuradova I. Adaptation costs of Water facility sector under adverse climatic change impact
• Continue expansive agricultural policy at the cost of environment and health degradation (up to 10 million hectares)or
• Improvement of existing practices and development of new options
Possible options to consider
Policy level (national government):- Develop water saving policy under country’s
program of strategic development- Indicative program
- Promotion of water saving technologies via economic tools
Possible options to consider
• Promotion of the use (alternative) existing water resources– Promoting (not piloting) oasis agriculture (freshwater
lenses) in desert areas– Developing plans for realization of run-off collection
practices in desert areas
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