AUCA team received a research project grant: "Assessment of Springs as Water Resources for Smallholder Farming Communities in Southwest Kyrgyzstan"

December 20, 2023

PI Dr. Alan Fryar and Dr. Karen Rignall from the University of Kentucky's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, in collaboration with AUCA professors Co-PI Dr. Sagynbek Orunbaev, Baktyiar Asanov, and Dr. Gulnaz Jalilova from the Department of Environmental Sustainability and Climate Science, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Scientific Cooperation Research Program (SCRP) of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The grant will support their research project, "Assessment of Springs as Water Resources for Smallholder Farming Communities in Southwest Kyrgyzstan" which will be conducted over a two-year period.

The primary objective of the research is to assess the viability of utilizing springs as water sources for both agricultural production and domestic use in the Batken province of southwest Kyrgyzstan. The study will involve a combination of hydrologic and behavioral research, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the springs' potential as sustainable water supplies.

During the first year of the project, the research group, along with undergraduate students from AUCA, will compile existing geospatial data, including information on geology, water resources, land use/land cover, soils, population, and transportation networks. This data will be integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) database, providing valuable insights into suitable locations for field activities during the summers of 2024 and 2025.

Fieldwork during the initial year will involve the measurement of water quality parameters at up to 20 springs. Additionally, water-level and temperature loggers will be deployed at three sites, with the necessary permissions obtained from local authorities. Selected residents will also be interviewed to gather information on local water availability, agricultural practices, water utilization, and water quality, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the region's water resources.

In the second year of the project, the research team will utilize GIS software to delineate recharge zones for the selected springs. The results of the interviews conducted in the first year will be analyzed to identify patterns among participants' socioeconomic characteristics, land use and ownership, irrigation usage, and their familiarity with local climate and hydrology. In summer 2025, Dr. Fryar, along with the fellows and students, will download and interpret the logged water-level and temperature data. They will also conduct hydrochemical analysis, including field parameters, anions, metals, nutrients, and stable isotopes, to assess water quality and flow paths. If feasible, they will conduct fluorescent dye tracing to confirm flow paths between selected recharge sites and springs.

The study's findings and recommendations regarding spring utilization will be shared through meetings and other communications with local participants, community members, and representatives from water-users' associations and government agencies. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the research outcomes are effectively disseminated and can contribute to informed decision-making regarding water resource management in the region.

This research project holds significant potential to address the challenges faced by smallholder farming communities in southwest Kyrgyzstan and contribute to sustainable water resource management practices. The collaboration between Dr. Fryar, AUCA professors, and students highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in tackling complex environmental issues.

SCRP Program Background:

The Scientific Cooperation Research Program (SCRP) was established in 1980. The SCRP provides two years of funding ($50,000 per award) to support collaborative research projects that aim to develop practical solutions to agricultural trade, market access, animal health, plant health, biotechnology, food safety, food security, climate smart agriculture, and/or sustainable natural resource management challenges. Since the program’s inception, USDA has sponsored more than 400 projects with about 95 partnering countries.

The program is intended to support a U.S.-based researcher (serving as the Mentor) and a researcher or researchers abroad (serving as the Fellow(s)). The program can also provide a conduit for past USDA-FAS Fellowship Program participants to continue long-term relationships with U.S. mentors and apply newly gained knowledge to build on their previous work together.

These FY23 SCRP awards established agreements with program dates running October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2025.

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