Almaty Region: Farmers Overpaid for Irrigation Water

Almaty Region Prosecutor Berik Adamov met with farmers in the Oi-Karagai gorge to discuss problems hindering farm development. Deputies, Akimat representatives, agro-credit organizations, and the farmers themselves attended the meeting, Orda.kz reports.

The Prosecutor's Office found that several companies were inflating the price of irrigation water. The companies Talgarirrigatsiya, Balkhashirigatsiya, Kolsayirrigatsiya, and Ushkonyrirrigatsiya inflated water transportation costs, equipment maintenance, and taxes.

After the Prosecutor's Office intervened, the tariffs were reduced, and the price for one cubic meter of water decreased by 38%. This helped protect the interests of 1,300 agricultural producers in the region and support them in the face of rising costs. Those responsible were held accountable.

Farmers also noted the rise in diesel fuel prices during the harvesting season and difficulties selling the harvest. For example, last year and at the beginning of this year, 11 thousand tons of onions had to be thrown out due to a lack of a sales market, and the price of corn fell almost in half.

Original Author: Olga Ibraeva