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GEF-funded Project Highlights: Astana, Kazakhstan
Summary:
In Northern Kazakhstan, the CBA project “"Adaptation of farmers’ agricultural practices in response to intensified climate aridity in Akmola Oblast” is located in the Arnasay settlement, which is 50 kilometers away from the country’s capital, Astana. The project site is the nation’s agricultural center, but its steppe ecosystem is fragile and subject to harsh weather conditions. Winters are long and cold with heavy winds and summers are hot and with both droughts and heavy rains. The harsh climate conditions have increased soil erosion and land degradation, resulting in damage to the local economy and reducing farmers’ production and incomes. Having observed the negative impacts of climate change upon farming productivity, the residents of Arnasay village have begun to implement adaptation measures to prevent climate change from further threatening their livelihoods. The project was prepared through a participatory process carried out by Akbota Public Foundation, a local NGO. It is being implemented within the local community to help residents improve the sustainability of their livelihoods.
Long-term climate change projections for Kazakhstan forecast rising temperatures and declining average rainfall. Overall, temperatures are expected to increase 1.4°C by 2030 and 2.7°C by 2050. All seasons will be warmer, but winter months will likely see the greatest temperature increases. Rainfall patterns are also projected to change. The arid climate traditional in south of the country is expected to expand northward into historically wetter areas. The cumulative effect of these factors will be increased aridity across the whole of Kazakhstan. The project area is threatened by increased summer evaporation and drying winds that weaken already fragile soils and diminish water resources. Winter snows are melting faster, posing an additional risk when accompanied by strong winds that dry out soils and cause erosion. It will become increasingly difficult for farmers to preserve winter moisture for agricultural use and they will be less able to rely on the nearby Astana Reservoir as its reserves are shrinking. The combination of greater precipitation with warmer winters, earlier snow melting, and spring night-frosts will impact traditional farming practices and calendars. Changes in planting practices and timing will be necessary to adapt and maintain agricultural activity in the region.
Adaptation Experience:
The CBA project has 2100 participants (or 220 households) who have benefitted from the adaptive practices introduced. From the effective water management activities, the total irrigated area is approximately 7000 hectares. Demonstration plots of twelve (12) local members are now equipped with the drip irrigation system due the project, and 24 local community members’ households have used the drip irrigation system (12 items were installed by the local members by themselves based on knowledge received from the project.). The yield has increased twice on the backyards with the drip irrigation system. At the same time water consumption has decreased twice.
Additionally, the area of winter wheat growing in Arshaly area is about 5000 hectares, and cereal crop for wheat production, using the technology of winter crop cultivation, has increased by 15%. All these environmental benefits have increased the producers’ incomes by 30% as compared to their income level in 2008, before the CBA project.
Results and Learning:
The CBA project introduced a new system of agriculture for the region based on combination of the summer grain crops and winter wheat production. Additionally, it has acquainted the local community members to innovative water-saving irrigation technologies, such as drip irrigation and surface irrigation.For crop and wheat production, planting of drought-resistant crops of winter wheat was implemented based on topography. In places with natural snow accumulation in the early spring season, but disappears 10-12 days later, a relief is used to retain water and to prevent runoff. These practices have led to reduced topsoil risks and soil erosion. This approach allows using available natural water from snowmelt and have reduced the dependency of local farmers on other water sources. Additionally, in order to prepare the soil for sowing winter crops, it is processed in view of the recommended dates phosphorous and nitrogen fertilizers are entered. Selection of crops of winter wheat was carried out based on the resistance to the arid climate in the zone of risky agriculture.For more efficient use of water, drip irrigation systems were installed on the local members’ backyards. This system can be easily installed and be easily collected from water filters, fittings, drip tapes. Drip irrigation system allows for maximum results and the most efficient use of available water for irrigation with a minimal cost.For major agricultural producers, the transition to a ground-level irrigation from the soil surface irrigation have led to saving water consumption as well as switch to high-quality watering at a lesser costs. The traditional watering sprinkler systems which irrigate the soil from the height of 2,5 - 3,7 m from the soil surface have proven disadvantageous as 30% of the water evaporates, water jets are demolished by strong winds and promotes land degradation. Converting to the ground-level irrigation through usage of special nozzles for surface irrigation, with just 0.3 m height from the soil surface, have allowed the agricultural producers to save water consumption, as well as arrange high-quality watering at the least cost and to prevent land degradation.For sustainability of the project, new adaptive farming systems and its real benefits shared with other local community members. The benefits which include saving money thru cost reduction on irrigation water and electricity, reducing physical labor due to automation of irrigation, increased yields and profits from sale of crops. Thru demonstration plots, organized within the project from the involvement of the Arnasay local members, knowledge-sharing on the effective water saving technology and experiences gained will be shared. In addition, powerful economic incentives to continue to use the new adaptive approaches to agriculture will be developed.In this regard, a collective transition to drip irrigation in the villages of the district are planning to be included in state budgets starting 2011. Project activities have allowed farmers in rural areas as well as local authorities to be acquainted with the new adaptive technology.
Sustainability:
Information not available.
Replication:
Information not available.
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