Bishkek, Dec. 12, 2025. /Kabar/. Time capsule laying ceremony was held at the headwater intake structure of the Mukhtar Nurgaziyev main canal in Kadamjay region of Batken oblast.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Land Reclamation, this event marks the beginning of the modernization of the Shakhimardan irrigation system – an important project for the development of agriculture in the region.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Director of the Water Resources Service Almaz Jeenaliev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Batken Oblast Aibek Shamenov, World Bank Country Director Hugh Riddell, Project Director Ulanbek Torogeldiev, heads of regional and district water management departments, representatives of contracting and consulting companies, local governments, local communities, and other stakeholders.
The project will cover two rural municipalities and one city in Kadamjay region. Total canal length (35.2 km), 25.67 km will be fully modernized.
Zheenaliyev noted that upon completion of the project, water supply will improve over 4,435 hectares of agricultural land, which will directly impact crop yields and agricultural sustainability.
Modernization of Shakhimardan irrigation system will help provide thousands of farmers with a stable water supply, improve the efficiency of irrigation water use, and strengthen agricultural resilience to climate change, he said.
The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture with support from the World Bank as part of the "Improving Climate-Resilient Water Services" project.