FINAL REPORT

unsocial way from sufficient water supplies. This system has to be improved by
securing water access for all channel users and by the introduction of irrigation
methods that reduce water losses resulting from high evapotranspiration and water
seeping into the underground. The introduction of more sophisticated irrigation
techniques other than simple flooding of fields, such as trickle/drip irrigation could
help to reduce water waste(see Annex V / Map 16).
Drainage trenches in fields with little inclination and salt enrichment in the soil
have to be established. Still existing iron water tubes from former irrigation
systems of the socialist time should not be sold as scrap metal to China anymore
but be used as subsoil water tunnels/passages at crossings of water channels with
dirt roads and tracks in order to avoid the destruction and consequently the
interruption of the water flow within the channel by motor vehicles.
In both sums guarding officers of the independent “Buyant River Water Authority”
should regularly control that irrigation water is not used illegally and not wasted in
an inappropriate way. In case of misuse they should have the right to impose
sanctions on the guilty persons.
The existing informal water channel user groups should be supported by the
project by offering training and assistance for the improvement of existing and the
introduction of new more efficient irrigation techniques. So far the members of
these groups mainly organize joint cleaning and maintenance activities and the
work load of each household depends on the size of their enclosure (khashaa)
bordering the channel. The size/profile of the water outlets at the main water
channels should correspond with the field size to be irrigated.
Based on these informal groups it would be advisable to try to build up formal
channel user associations, who could become an economic entity for example by
founding a farm cooperative.
For the irrigation agriculture on Myangad sum territory near the sum center the
water is taken from Khovd river. Although it seems to be difficult to operate a
water pump in the river which is mechanically driven by the water current
(German: “Widder”), experts from the German company should carefully check its
possibilities for operation. In Durviin gazar(see Annex V / Map 14) of Buyant and
in Jargalant sum, where shortages of irrigation water do not happen, the already
high harvest results could still be increased by introducing even more sophisticated
soil preparation and irrigation techniques.
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