On February 1, Kubanychbek Kulov, the former director of the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Institute of Irrigation, will celebrate his 75th anniversary. In his reflections, he touches on the most important topic of the 21st century — the melting of glaciers and the future of water resources in Kyrgyzstan. In this article, Kulov also pays tribute to his colleague Vitaly Shablovsky, a "man-phenomenon," whose work in the field of automated water resource management is attracting interest both in the CIS countries and beyond.
The History of Water Policy in the USSR
In 1973, the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Institute of Water Management was recognized as the leading scientific center for the automation of reclamation systems in the Soviet Union. The institute became known as the All-Union Research Institute for Comprehensive Automation of Reclamation Systems (VNIIKAMS), employing over 800 staff, including specialists such as O. A. Bilik and D. A. Suyumbaev.
At that time, a school of systems engineers and programmers began to develop in the republic. A laboratory led by the young Vitaly Shablovsky focused on developing microprocessor devices for automating pumping stations. In collaboration with programmers L. P. Gerashchenko and L. S. Mikheeva, he created microchips that enabled the automation of large pumping stations in Kyrgyzstan and other regions of the USSR.
Automation for Food Security
After the collapse of the USSR, VNIIKAMS became part of the Kyrgyz Republic and was renamed the Kyrgyz Research Institute of Irrigation. Shablovsky's laboratory concentrated on developing automated water accounting and distribution systems. In the arid climate of Kyrgyzstan, irrigation is a crucial factor ensuring food security, as 1 million hectares of irrigated land form the backbone of the country's agro-industrial complex.
The first automated system was tested in the Kochkor, Batken, and Panfilov districts. However, the technologies need updating. Currently, Shablovsky is working on the "ASUvod KR" system, using modern software solutions and wireless technologies, which allows for a transition to intelligent autonomous systems. Since 2022, with the support of the Minister of Agriculture, implementation has begun in the Chui region.
Demand for Technologies in Central Asia
Shablovsky's developments are in demand beyond Kyrgyzstan. In 2018-2019, an automated system was implemented at the Baikadam hydro node in Kazakhstan (Syr Darya River). In Turkmenistan, the system has been operational on the transboundary Murghab River since 2020, and in 2022-2023, it was implemented on the Karakum Canal. Software support is provided by the key programmer of the laboratory, Eva Germanovna Polyak.
Forecasts for the Future of Water Resources
Automation is becoming vital in the context of global climate change. It is expected that by the 2030s, river flow will decrease, and by the 2050s, there will be a sharp reduction in water resources. This will affect all sectors of the economy:
Agriculture: the threat of food shortages.
Construction and light industry: sectors that require significant labor and energy costs.
Tourism: a decrease in the variety of agricultural products will negatively impact the attractiveness of the service sector.
Gene pool: poor nutrition will affect the health of future generations.
The only solution is Shablovsky's technologies. Electronic sensors can monitor 28,000 kilometers of canals, transmitting data via a wireless network, allowing for the control of every liter of water and its prompt distribution among 450,000 farms.
Precision Agriculture as the Key to High Yields
According to ADB research, temperatures in the region will rise by 3 degrees every 40 years. By 2100, some rivers may completely dry up. Scientists aim to double the yields of wheat, potatoes, and sugar beets, which is only possible through "precision agriculture."
The world record for wheat yield is 170 centners per hectare, while in Kyrgyzstan, the Agricultural Research Institute has achieved 110 centners per hectare, whereas the average yield in the country today is about 30 centners per hectare. Transitioning to the "ASUvodPROD" system (irrigation based on sensor signals with simultaneous fertilizer application) will help maximize the biological potential of plants.
Reform for a Sustainable Future
For the successful implementation of ASU, it is necessary to consolidate fields from the current 1-5 hectares to 20-100 hectares. Irrigation systems were designed with large areas in mind. This requires uniting small farmers into agro-clusters and creating Scientific and Production Associations (NPOs). An example is the Israeli kibbutzim, where collective labor and shared infrastructure have helped overcome the problem of water scarcity.
Technological Sovereignty and Scientific Achievements
Vitaly Shablovsky is a model of a practitioner-scientist for whom the implementation of developments is more important than publications in international journals. He consciously protects the secrets of his technologies for Kyrgyzstan, thereby ensuring the technological sovereignty of the country.
It is proposed to revise the Science Law to:
Grant a candidate degree for creating a "prototype."
Grant a doctoral degree for successful "production testing."
Establish priority allowances for technical and biological sciences.
The future of state governance should be based on digital models of water basins. The akim or minister should be able to see the situation on the screen in real time and make decisions based on current data, rather than paper reports.
Vitaly Iosifovich, we thank you for your example! You are paving the way from theory to practice, ensuring a future for our descendants up to the year 2100."
