LocationsLocal solutions for restoring the land: the story of a farmer
November 7, 2025
Tleukabyl Yessembekuly, a farmer from the village of Aksu-Ayuly, Karaganda region, Kazakhstan
Tleukabyl Yessembekuly, a farmer from the village of Aksu-Ayuly and founder of the Association of farmers of the Shet district in the Karaganda region, is a well-known local figure — a sports veteran and master falconer who has long championed the preservation of his native land and responsible use of natural resources. Nearly 35 years ago, after retiring, he brought together local farmers with one shared goal: to revive their region and promote environmental initiatives within rural communities.
Over the years, the Association has received several grants and loans that helped improve living conditions, increase agricultural productivity, conserve natural resources, and prevent land degradation across the Shet district. Among its achievements are a hybrid 5 kW power station that provides electricity to an international school that teaches the art of falconry, and an energy-efficient, long-burning boiler installed at the local primary school in Kairakty. Another vital initiative for the region was the restoration of a dam on the Sakkalbay River, which improved the productivity of the district's distant pastures.
A hybrid 5 kW power station
Beyond agriculture, Tleukabyl Yessembekuly is passionate about developing eco-tourism, seeing it as a way to showcase the beauty of his homeland and to inspire young people to love nature, embrace patriotism, and respect Kazakh traditions through joint environmental and educational activities.
"Our region is rich in natural resources and unique ecosystems. But lately, as farmers, we've been facing soil erosion, land degradation, and a lack of water for irrigation and livestock,"
says Tleukabyl Yessembekuly.
Aksu-Ayuly village in the Karaganda region, Kazakhstan
Climate change, land-use shifts, and environmental pressures on local flora and fauna have worsened the area's ecological state, which is dominated by saline and alkaline soils. To address these challenges, Tleukabyl Yessembekuly proposed an integrated project to restore natural springs and plant forage crops. His idea received support through the Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Development Programme in Kazakhstan.
"In our steppe, there are more than 40 natural springs, though some can no longer be restored because livestock trample them. Many springs located in small forest groves provide water not only for domestic animals but also for wildlife — argali, roe deer, elk, boars, wolves, foxes, badgers, hares, and many bird species. When the springs die, the small groves that depend on them also disappear, leading to desertification, as happened in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when the forest belt vanished. To preserve these springs, we used a water-capturing technology — building a stone and concrete enclosure around the source,"the farmer explains.
Natural spring near Aksu-Ayuly village
According to him, a 100-mm pipe is installed in the enclosure wall to drain water, while the walls are carefully sealed to prevent leakage and maintain water levels. As a result, around 9,460 tons of water can be conserved each year from a single spring — enough to water nearly 170 heads of cattle.
This technique helps preserve not only the springs but also the small streams that flow through nearby villages that depend on them. Residents have also noticed the benefits and often come to collect fresh spring water. "I always come here for spring water — we don't even want to drink regular water anymore. I once asked specialists to test its quality, and it turned out the spring water was cleaner than bottled water!" says Daulet Zhakin, a local resident.
Another challenge the farmers faced about two years ago was a severe drought that forced them to reduce their livestock due to a shortage of fodder. Tleukabyl's response was to begin cultivating forage crops and creating small water reservoirs for irrigation.
"The soil is depleted, and the grass no longer grows on its own, so we have to plant it ourselves. But it also needs watering, and we don't have enough water. That's why we proposed collecting spring and meltwater to irrigate our fields,"
he explains.
The fence around the spring allows people and animals to use the water separately
This year, farmers from the Association planted 30 hectares of alfalfa and around 200 hectares of perennial grass, wheatgrass, and annual Sudan grass. For irrigation, they used water from the Sakkalbay River, which was restored by the dam. Due to limited water resources, perennial crop sowing will continue in stages, and snow-retention measures are planned for the winter months.
For Tleukabyl Yesembekuly, caring for the land is not just work — it is a calling. His determination and love for nature continue to inspire others. Today, the Association he founded is restoring springs, introducing water-saving technologies, and teaching young people to care for natural resources responsibly.
Tleukabyl Yessembekuly in the grass field
"We can't wait for someone else to save our land. It all starts with one person, and with one spring, we protect with our own hands. As long as the spring water flows — our steppe lives,"says Tleukabyl Yesembekuly.
For Tleukabyl Yessembekuly, caring for the land is not just work — it is a calling
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