June 17th (AMSP/CGTN) – – CGTN’s Central Asia expedition continues. In this episode, we travel to northern Kyrgyzstan, where a China-backed irrigation project has eased water shortages for some 20,000 farmers, opening up new economic opportunities for many (Have a click).
About 200 kilometers north of Bishkek, the sound of water cuts through the arid land. This is to commemorate the reconstruction of the major canal in the state of Lake Issyk-Kul, which is part of the number three section of the Kyrgyzstan irrigation system constructed by China.
Launched in 2018 under the Belt and Road Initiative, this was China’s first project of its kind in Kyrgyzstan. By 2021, around 40 kilometers of infrastructure had been completed across three irrigation zones in the Issyk-Kul and Batken oblasts. In the village of Ak-Olon, Qolponbaeva Gulzat is one of the beneficiaries of the project. She now has sufficient water at her doorstep to nourish her cherry trees.
“Despite the plants booming, the drought is still a big problem in most time of the year. The precipitations started to increase only two or three weeks ago. So that’s why the irrigation system is so important for the local people,” says Xu Zhaoqun from Ak-Olon Village.
With more water available, village life is busier than ever. This father-son duo has expanded their farm to over 1,000 fruit trees. Jumagul Mamytov says his apricot sales have quadrupled since they began growing more. The increased income has brought new aspirations for the next generation. “My granddaughter is learning Chinese. We hope she’ll study in Beijing one day,” says Kyrgyz villager Jumagul Mamytov.
The renovated irrigation system is reported to provide reliable water access for 11,100 hectares of farmland, benefiting over 20,000 residents. “When the canal was completed, many young people like me returned to our hometown. Now we can live and farm on our own land. Our hope is that our children will gain knowledge to help build our country,” Mamytov says.
The connection between changes in their town and the growing ties between the two nations isn’t lost on these villagers.
They pay attention to the frequent leaders’ visits and the China-led railway now under construction.
For the small, landlocked country of Kyrgyzstan, it feels like the beginning of a new era.
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CGTN