Today, employees of the Yylgynagyz main pump irrigation canal are celebrating the first anniversary – 10 years since this unique waterworks facility, which has been retooled with modern technology, went into operation. The 50-km-long pump irrigation canal on the right bank of the Amudarya River was officially opened by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on February 3, 2011. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the head of state highlighted the great importance of the supermodern waterworks complex for the Lebap region and the whole country. 

The canal has been working smoothly for 10 years, supplying water from the Amudarya to the lands that were once vacant. Thanks to the life-sustaining water, 20,000-plus hectares of virgin lands and takyrs (clayey tracts), located in higher places have been converted into farmlands. These lands are cultivated by farmers from several etraps of the Lebap region. 

The high-performance complex features 6 cascades of pumping stations and water is lifted to a height of the irrigated lands. Each of them boasts high-capacity Swiss-made pumps, and other special and power-generating equipment. The engineering capacity of the irrigation canal allows lifting water (from the first cascade-level) to a height of 76 meters, where the lands irrigated by the sixth cascade are located. 

Today, Lebap farmers and entrepreneurs grow grain, cotton, vegetables, cucurbits, and fruits on these lands, making a meaningful contribution to ensuring the country’s food abundance and boosting the production of cotton and forage crops. 

Berdymurad JUMAEV