Sustainable water resources management in agriculture of the Zhambyl region: current challenges and development directions

Abstract

Under conditions of water scarcity and deterioration of irrigation infrastructure, the issue of efficient and sustainable water resources management in the agricultural sector of the Zhambyl region has become particularly relevant. The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current state of water resources management in agriculture of the Zhambyl region, identify key structural challenges, and develop scientifically grounded recommendations aimed at their long-term resolution. The research methodology is based on systemic and comparative analysis, economic and statistical methods, analysis of regulatory and legal documents, as well as the processing of interview results obtained from farmers engaged in irrigated agriculture.
The research findings indicate that within the Shu-Talas water management basin, water consumption is characterized by an imbalance relative to available renewable water resources, while the deterioration of irrigation infrastructure and insufficient adoption of water-saving technologies in the Zhambyl region intensify the risks of water scarcity. In addition, the underdevelopment of water consumption accounting systems and limited institutional support have been identified as systemic constraints to the sustainable development of agricultural production. It is substantiated that the measures envisaged under the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of the Water Sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2024-2028 create tangible institutional and economic prerequisites for improving the efficiency of water resources management in the region.