12:44 - 13.03.2023

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March 13, Fineko/abc.az. The main cause of the drying up of the Kura River is not global climate change, but an increase in water consumption and improper management, ABC.AZ reports, quoting eco-activist Javid Gara.

He added that the main cause of the sharp increase in water consumption is that winter pastures with warm climatic conditions that were not previously irrigated are attracted to intensive irrigation.

The eco-activist said that large entrepreneurs are to blame for the occurrence of this situation, because they irrigate thousands of hectares in the traditional way, which leads to massive loss of water.

As for ways out of the situation, Gara believes that a model of agriculture corresponding to water resources should be built in our country. In particular, it is necessary to abandon cotton growing, grain and annual crops and focus on such profitable industries as vegetable growing, intensive gardening and greenhouses. In addition, channels with an earthen surface should be replaced with concrete coverings, and modern and economical technologies should be used for irrigation. The transition to a paid irrigation system can also be applied.