TURKMENISTAN CONTINUES WORK ON FIRST STAGE OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000788 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB, OES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAGR SENV TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN CONTINUES WORK ON FIRST STAGE OF TURKMEN LAKE REF: A. 08 ASHGABAT 694 ¶B. ASHGABAT 767 ¶C. ASHGABAT 872 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: According to the Deputy Chairman for Agriculture and Water Management, the first stage of the man-made, mid-desert Turkmen Lake will be complete in a month or two. He claimed that Turkmenistan grows enough wheat to fulfill the country's consumption needs and that it could grow more if needed. The government still believes that a lease-based system for agricultural land is best for farmers and production. Contrary to the Deputy Chairman's views, independent scientists and ecologists do not think that Turkmen Lake will be useful or healthy for the ecosystem, and the government consistently over-reports its wheat harvest. And, Post's sources have indicated in the past that many farmers throughout Turkmenistan would prefer to own their farmland. END SUMMARY. UPDATE ON TURKME LAKE ¶3. (SBU) In a June 22 meeting with Charge, Deputy Chairman for Agriculture and Water Management, Myratgeldi Akmammedov, said that Turkmenistan is continuing consruction on Turkmen Lake (Ref A),with the full support of President Berdimuhamedov. Akmammedov said that subterranean water will gather in collectors, which will drain into the lake through pipes. Workers will complete the first stage which consists of 720 kilometers of pipe in July or August. The second stage will consist of 420 kilometers of pipe, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management plans to build a total pipe length of 2,760 kilometers reaching all corners of Turkmenistan. He added that scientists are currently working on a water desalinization technique. After desalinization, the pipes will carry the water to areas throughout Turkmenistan. The lake's projected volume is 15 billion cubic meters. Akmammedov does not anticipate great losses of water due to evaporation "because the lake will be deep -- 15-17 meters -- and evaporation occurs more in shallow waters." Commencement of construction on a third stage will depend on the amount of subsoil water that construction engineers find during the second stage of construction. If it is sufficient to fill the lake, construction will stop after the second stage. Akmammedov was unwilling to predict when construction of the second stage would be completed. WATER AND IRRIGATION PRACTICES AND POLICY ¶4. (SBU) The Deputy Chairman explained that Turkmenistan's farms are beginning to experiment with sprinkler irrigation, which is efficient for growing grain, wheat, corn, and alfalfa. Drip irrigation works efficiently and is appropriate for the Turkmen climate and soil, especially for growing grapes and other fruit. The country is also working on stopping the leaching of minerals from the soil. Akmammedov said that the government discourages farmers from over-irrigation because this practice is detrimental to the land, so farmers are using about half of the usual amount of irrigation water. TURKMENISTAN'S WHEAT HARVEST ¶5. (SBU) Deputy Chairman Akmammedov said, "We (Turkmen people) don't have any problem with this (wheat supply) -- we are 100 percent independent" because of the use of efficient fertilizers, technology, and modern scientific methods, adding that "we could produce more, if the market demanded it. In the future we can export fruit and vegetables." (NOTE: Akmammedov did not explain why Turkmenistan was missing out on an opportunity to export this alleged excess wheat abroad. END NOTE.) ASHGABAT 00000788 002 OF 002 STEPS FORWARD IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND MANUFACTURING ¶6. (SBU) The Deputy Chairman mentioned the recent reopening of the Academy of Sciences (Ref B) and that Academy scientists are working on improving Turkmenistan's water management and agriculture methods. A new factory in Ruhabat is making enough irrigation pipe to satisfy Turkmenistan's needs. He also said that the country's small farms are doing well because all land is state-owned, water is free, and the government pays 50 percent of the cost of equipment. Akmammedov said that leasing farmland is a convenient arrangement for farmers, especially "long-term leases which support free enterprise." Currently there are 3,000 pieces of Case New Holland equipment and 2,500 pieces of John Deere equipment in Turkmenistan, which are largely very dependable and which the Deputy Chairman said Turkmenistan plans to continue to buy. He gave particular praise to Caterpillar equipment, which moves sand at the Turkmen Lake site. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: Moving sand at the construction site of Turkmen Lake is just one of the challenges associated with this project (Ref A). Although Post reported previously that there was doubt whether Berdimuhamedov would follow through with his predecessor's ambitious plan, it now appears certain that the lake will be built. While the Deputy Chairman sings the praises of Turkmenistan's scientific community, outside scientists do not agree that Turkmen Lake is a good idea. In addition to being physically difficult to construct with little or no real agricultural value, the end product will damage the environment. Post's earlier reporting also differs with Akmammedov's claims about Turkmenistan's wheat independence (Ref C) and the advantages of leasing farmland to farmers versus ownership. END COMMENT. MILES