Rice growers of Dagestan found ways to solve the problem with irrigation water

On May 6, Sharip Sharipov, First Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Dagestan, together with FARC Professor Magomed Baratov, visited a number of farms in the Kizlyar region in order to study the progress of rice sowing and perform other agrotechnological work.
He got acquainted with the activities of one of the largest agricultural enterprises, Bolshaya Oreshevka LLC. According to the HEAD of the farm, Khaibula Khaibulaev, this year they aim to increase rice crops to 1,000 hectares. The agreement between the leadership of Dagestan and Rosagroleasing JSC opened up good opportunities for strengthening the machine park, modern tractors, a laser planner and other equipment were purchased under leasing. Currently, the final stage of capital and restoration work on rice fields is underway, mineral fertilizers are being transported and preparations are being made for their pre-sowing application.
The economy is diversified. More than 400 hectares are occupied by winter grain crops, winter crops have been fed. There is also a vegetable wedge, livestock breeding is being developed. it is set to increase the area under crops this year. The head of the farm noted that the construction of the second pumping station is being completed, this will help solve the problem of irrigation water shortage.
The First Deputy Minister outlined the innovative approach of Bolshaya Oreshevka LLC to water supply issues. We are talking about the construction of two pumping stations that will re-supply drainage water to the rice fields, thereby increasing the possibility of putting agricultural land into circulation. Sharip Sharipov recalled that during the Soviet period, 54 pumping stations were located in the Kizlyar zone, including 14 that belonged to the Minmeliovodkhoz RD. Unfortunately, none of them remained for various reasons.
“The aridity of the climate is increasing, the water content of the Terek, the main artery that provides almost 70% of the republic's irrigation water, is decreasing. Under these conditions, there is a need to search for new forms of water supply to the rice fields. The first step in this direction was taken by Bolshaya Oreshevka LLC, having started the construction of large pumping stations. I am sure that this experience of the revival of forced water supply will be widely disseminated in the republic, a number of farms in the Gunib and Tarumovsky regions have already taken up its example,” Sharipov said.
In early May, rice growers noted with alarm the low water level in the Terek. Water intake was carried out at very low levels, downstream water content was 95 cubic meters, which is extremely small. Today, the situation has improved thanks to the melting of snow and recent precipitation. The water content is almost 500 cubic meters downstream. This adds optimism to the rice growers and the agrarians of Dagestan in general. This year they intend to sow more rice than last year, about 32 thousand hectares will be allocated for this crop, of which about 17 thousand hectares are in the Kizlyar region. There is hope that the tasks set will be fulfilled. To date, about 700 hectares of rice have been sown in Dagestan out of 32,000 hectares planned.
Another feature of rice cultivation in Dagestan is the need for annual capital and restoration work on rice fields. Due to the high turbidity of the Terek River, deposits often form on the checks, and almost every year it is necessary to carry out work to eliminate irregularities in the rice fields. On average, when planning a check on one hectare, 350-400 cubic meters of land have to be moved and distributed. The yield of rice and the consumption of irrigation water depend on the accuracy of planning rice checks. LLC "Bolshaya Oreshevka" uses modern planners with a laser guidance system, which allow leveling the soil with high accuracy. The transition to such technologies makes it possible to increase the efficiency of rice growing in Dagestan.
“We were convinced that JSC Rosagroleasing today extended a hand of support to the Dagestan agricultural industry, thanks to this, the material and technical base of the agro-industrial complex of Dagestan is being actively modernized. This is the result of the agreement signed by the Head of Dagestan Sergey Melikov with the management of Rosagroleasing JSC. It is gratifying that this cooperation is secured by additional agreements at the site of the Caucasian Investment Exhibition,” Sharip Sharipov noted.
The emphasis on modern agricultural technologies, the active use of innovative experience and the introduction of methods of careful attitude to irrigation water are the main components for the successful development of rice growing in Dagestan. According to the First Deputy Minister, it is also important to note the experience of rational use of working time and labor resources - in this farm, mineral fertilizers are transported to the fields in advance. This year, they plan to apply 400 kg of basic mineral fertilizers in physical weight, which guarantees high yields.
During the trip, Sharip Sharipov also got acquainted with the work of the farm "Said", which is engaged in the cultivation of MEAT and MILK. The farm is a participant in grant support, a modern farm has been built here. According to farmer Magomedkamil Magomedov, the work pays attention to the experience of leading farms and the recommendations of scientists. They are aimed at improving the breed composition of livestock, as well as increasing the productivity of fodder lands, which is relevant in the production of milk and meat.