The publication of this Handbook was supported by the Russian Federation

Current condition of  irrigated lands
According to the Ameliorative Registry of  Kyrgyzstan, the total area of  lands in unsatisfactory 
ameliorative condition increased by 20 thousand hectares from 1990. By 2010, saline and alkaline 
soils  occupied  12%  and  8%  of   the  total  arable  land  area,  respectively.  Salt-affected  soils  were 
concentrated within the Chuy Valley and districts of  Talas, Kara-Buura, Batken, Aravan and 
Suzak. The most extensive development of  soil salinization and waterlogging occurred in the 
western part of  the Chuy Valley and the Batken District in the south of  Kyrgyzstan. So-called 
‘amorphous salinization’ was observed within the Kulanak Valley of  the Naryn District [2].
The main cause of  the degradation of  irrigated lands is the rise of  the mineralized (saline) 
groundwater table due to the generally dilapidated state of  irrigation systems and inefficient water 
use. The condition of  irrigation systems has rundown over time due to a lack of  finance for their 
necessary maintenance. Excessive irrigation rates result not only in the GWT rise, but also in soil 
erosion and water loss from drainage systems. The situation can be improved by soil rehabilitation 
via leaching together with the repair of  drainage systems and optimizing water use in irrigation 

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Annex F. Dissemination of knowledge on the amelioration of salt-affected and waterlogged soils in the Kyrgyz Republic 
systems. Existing recommendations for the prevention of  irrigation-induced erosion are also 
applicable for solving problems of  GWT rise, soil salinization and drain blockages by silt.