According to the Bank’s website, the proposed additional financing will expand the project's scope by (i) modernizing irrigation infrastructure, (ii) integrating automation systems, (iii) adopting advanced water management technologies, (iv) introducing nature-based solutions and watershed management planning, (v) enhancing early warning systems and precipitation monitoring, and (vi) strengthening institutional capacity for sustainable operations.

The Kyrgyz Republic faces significant challenges due to fluctuating water availability intensified by climate change. In 2023, unusually high summer temperatures caused wheat harvests to drop by 26.5% compared to the previous year. The ongoing climate crisis is predicted to worsen with projections indicating that the country will face accelerated glacier melt through 2030s, followed by a significant decline in glacial runoff leading to increased desertification and drought. These changes pose significant risks to the country's agriculture sector. Addressing these risks require a targeted strategy to modernize and enhance climate-resilient water management infrastructure, especially in the Chui and Osh regions facing severe water shortage problems. Modernizing the outdated irrigation systems is essential for enhancing operational efficiency. These systems are inefficient, leading to up to 40% of water being lost during conveyance due to infiltration. Further, the country's irrigation networks which have not been updated since the Soviet era are in serious need of equipment to sustain efficient operation.

The Kyrgyz Republic has considerable unused water resources that could be harnessed for irrigation development. The country's mountain glaciers hold approximately 650 cubic kilometers (km3) of freshwater; and around 3,000 rivers with a total annual flow of 47 km3, of which only 20% (10 km3) is used. Further, there is potential for developing 500,000-700,000 hectares of land for irrigation. However, issues like land degradation and waterlogging largely due to insufficient maintenance of drainage systems need to be addressed. In addition, the expected increase in precipitation intensity is likely to cause more surface runoff and reduced water infiltration, raising the risk of erosion which could lead to landslides. Human activities such as slope excavation, deforestation, and removal of vegetation often contribute to these landslides. To mitigate these risks, the additional financing will focus on climate-resilient watershed management practices, i.e., erosion control, slope stabilization, and non-structural interventions to reduce the impact of these factors.

Environment: B
Involuntary Resettlement: B
Indigenous Peoples: C

ADB Loan (Concessional ordinary capital resources lending): US$ 20.00 million
ADB Grant (Asian Development Fund): US$ 27.00 million
Counterpart: US$ 6.44 million
Project Cost: US$ 53.44 million

Project Officer: ULAN ZHAPAROV
Designation: Water Resources Service under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry
Email: zhaparov@water.gov.kg

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

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ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main.