International Water Forum, Istanbul May 2011

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

THANK [email protected]