After installing drip irrigation on the plot, only 12.5 tons of water is used instead of 100 tons.
Farmer Bayish Ermatov from Karamat village, Jalal-Abad region, for the first time thought of growing strawberries on a plantation in 2023.
Due to acute water shortage in the regions of Kyrgyzstan, which affects crop yields, especially during the irrigation period, Bayish Ermatov decided to implement a drip irrigation system on a 0.5 hectare plot. His priority was to conserve water, but he also wanted to protect the soil from harmful weeds that threatened his crops.
He applied to the KyrSEFF Program and Companion Bank for financial support. After the application was approved, Bayish Ermatov received technical advice from KyrSEFF engineers. A recommendation was also made to install an energy-efficient 1.5 kW pump to reduce energy costs.
“After Installation of drip irrigation on the plot, only 12.5 tons of water is used instead of 100 tons. In addition to saving water and energy, there is a saving of time and human resources for watering. Everything is automated. I thank KyrSEFF for their support,” said Bayish Ermatov.
Switching to modern drip irrigation also has a more effective effect on the root zone, potentially increasing strawberry yields by up to 30%.
Water saving – 660 m3 per year
CO2 savings – 0.004 tons per year
Energy saving – 70 kWh per year.
Bayish Ermatov was awarded a grant of 15% of the loan amount from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the implementation of energy efficiency measures .
