OREANDA-NEWS. December 12, 2014. Irrigation networks and water facilities are going to be recovered in the Almaty Region, most of which is in private hands and is listed as abandoned.

More than 5,5 thousand kilometers of irrigation networks out of 16 thousand kilometers belong to private hands. Irrigation system area requires a large-scale and early reconstruction. According to rough estimates 90 billion tenge are needed for the networks reconstruction.

"Work on return of abandoned networks to state ownership is poorly maintained. Akims also do not work with private traders. Who cannot cope with the responsibilities for maintenance of water facilities, those will be required to return them to the government," Committee chairman on Water Resources of Ministry of Agriculture Islam Abishev said.

"The success of agricultural development depends, at least, on early recovery of water management. Therefore the demand for it will be severe," Akim of the Almaty Region Amandyk Batalov stressed.

In the first place, for the implementation of the priority plan of measures whereof the parties have already agreed during the meeting.

In addition to measures of network reconstruction hydrosphere specialist training issue was discussed. Akim charged to create a special section on the basis of professional colleges and train future hydrotechnicians for free.