In the Kushkupir district, residents of the “Arablar” mahalla, the Katagan village, “Taraqqiyot” mahalla of the Sputnik town and several farmers working in the area have complained about the lack of water for irrigation.
The “Ung tarmoq Kulobod” canal, which runs through two mahallas, has been left without water for three years. As a result, farming, animal husbandry and fishing are becoming increasingly impossible. People are having trouble using the land, growing vegetables, gardening. Entrepreneurial activities that cost a lot of money are also under question.
Erkin Ruzimov is an entrepreneur, who established the “Ruzimov Abdulla” farm with good intentions and to earn for his living. But the problem of water shortage has ruined the farmer’s business and plunged him into debt.
“I started business in the fishing industry on 4.5 hectares of land. I prepared 3 hectares for the pond. When I started work, there was uncertainty whether there would be water in the “Ung tarmoq Kulobod” canal or not. But the leaders assured that there would be water, they promised. Unfortunately, in 2020, not a single drop of water came from the canal. As a result, the area of the pond reduced to 0.1 hectares of its original size. Most of the fish in the lake died. I am drowning in debt. In the fall, I will be asked to deliver fish to fulfill the state order for fish products. How will I fulfill it?” Ruzimov got desperate.
The head of the “Zohidjon Kushkupir” family business, Zokhidjon Nurmetov, complained that the high-investment business he started is in jeopardy and that the drought could cost a lot of loss.
“Our family business operates in the field of meat and dairy. We have a large farm in the “Arablar” mahalla. We have 131 head of Simmental cattle, delivered from Switzerland. I spent 3.5 billion soums on this project from my personal funds and received the same amount of loans. Due to the lack of water, fodder production is becoming a problem for our livestock. There is no water in the “Ung tarmoq Kulobod” canal, as a result of which our crops are dehydrated and drying up. We have appealed to relevant organizations. How to do business in such conditions? Will the price of meat in the market go down if livestock breeders are not supported?” he said.
