In the village of Shelek, Almaty Region, farmers have reported the loss of part of their harvest due to interruptions in the supply of irrigation water. According to them, the crops are drying up, and the funds and labour invested in the season are at risk.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to the Instagram page astana_live24, water supply issues have meant that agricultural crops are not receiving the necessary irrigation. Farmers note that this is causing plants to wither and farms to incur losses.
The author of the appeal emotionally described the situation as "sabotage." The post calls on supervisory authorities to inspect the activities of the branch of the Kunayev Big Almaty Canal (BAC), which is responsible for supplying irrigation water in the region.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER SUPPLY
The BAC branch manages the distribution of water for irrigating farmland in the Almaty Region. The farmers' appeal claims that the interruptions in water supply are linked to its operations.
The post also notes that previous interruptions in water supply via the BAC had already led to complaints from agricultural workers in the region.
CONTEXT
Similar situations have previously been recorded in other regions of Kazakhstan. In particular, farmers in the Korday District of the Zhambyl Region reported a shortage of irrigation water after employees of the RSE "Kazvodkhoz" refused to sign water supply contracts.
UPD:
In the comments section of the post, a message appeared from individuals claiming to be employees of the branch "Big Almaty Canal named after D. Kunayev".
In it, referencing the situation surrounding the "Asiya" farm, it is claimed that A. Abakov did not contact the branch to sign a contract and has no complaints about its activities, and that he receives water under a contract with the State Institution "Almatyoblvodkhoz".
The comment also states that in his video address, A. Abakov may have confused the names of the organisations, and that the previously stated complaints against the branch were, according to them, unsubstantiated.