Lean Environmental Solutions

Guide · Kyrgyzstan

Drought and water shortage

Drought is the most common bad year for crops in Kyrgyzstan, and it becomes next winter's feed problem for animals.

Who and when

Irrigated crops in Chui, Talas and Batken were hit hardest in 2025. Herders are hit through hay. Months: May to August. Bad years in 2021, 2023 and 2025.

Getting worse.

Right now

Right now (autumn 2026)

  • 14 Oct 2026: Kyrgyzstan harvested about 2.5 million t of grain, more than in 2025. No 2026 hay figure was found.
  • Aug 2026: Toktogul reservoir was lower than a year before. This can mean power cuts for pumps this winter and less water for 2027 irrigation in the south.
  • Aug 2026: 2% loans for drip irrigation are open. Apply at the district agrarian development department.
Before

Before: get ready

Crops and trees

  1. Walk your ditches and furrows in November while they are dry. Mark leaks and places where water pools. Clean them and line the worst parts in February to March.
  2. In December to January, plan next year's water: which plots get water first, and how much at each crop stage, not by habit.
  3. Water at night or in calm hours, not in wind. (general practice, check locally)
  4. Choose drought- and rust-tolerant seed in December to January.
  5. Spread straw or crop waste as mulch in spring, after the soil warms. Under trees, any time. (general practice, check locally)
  6. Plant windbreak rows in October to November or February to April.

Animals

  1. Now: count animals and do the feed sum. Animals × days until green grass × daily feed. Compare with hay in hand. Sell or buy now.
  2. Check and clean troughs, springs and pipes in October and April. Follow your pasture committee's grazing plan.

Money: there is no working farm insurance. In Naryn (Jumgal, Ak-Talaa, Naryn districts) a WFP index cover pays the district when drought cuts feed. Ask your ayil okmotu.

During

During: when it hits

  1. Keep drinking water for your family and animals first. Then water the crops that bring your income.
  2. Sell or slaughter animals early, while they are in good condition and prices are still good.
  3. Buy or secure fodder early. In 2025, fodder crops fell 46%.
  4. Watch tanks and troughs. Hot, still water can grow toxic blue-green algae. (general practice, check locally)
  5. Follow heat and irrigation warnings from Kyrgyzhydromet.
After

After: recover

First days

  • Take dated photos of dry fields and lost crops.
  • Re-do the feed sum.

First weeks

  • Rest pastures before grazing them again. (general practice, check locally)
  • Dry soil washes away in the first heavy rain. Plant cover as soon as rain returns. (general practice, check locally)

Money and help

  • Record damage with photos that show date, time and place. Keep a note of plots, normal yields and every call you make.
  • No drought aid was found for 2025. If your district has the WFP index cover, it pays out automatically to the district. In 2024 it paid for fodder, animal treatment and water pumps.
Build back better

Build back better

  1. Drip or sprinkler watering, with 2% loans.
  2. Keep a fodder reserve, and write down in advance when you will sell animals.
  3. Windbreak rows. In the Chui and Fergana valleys they cut water use by 5–15%.
  4. A small pond or tank that fills in spring.

What the farm check looks for

Days of hay in the barn against the number of animals. Where water comes from, and how much is lost in earth ditches. Irrigated crops in Chui, Talas or Batken.

Get a free farm check

Sources