A program for water resources management and development of the irrigation sector has been adopted

On August 12, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the presentation of proposals for water resources management and development of the irrigation sector.

In conditions of water scarcity in our region, its careful and rational use is an extremely urgent task. In Uzbekistan, constant attention is paid to this: irrigation networks are being repaired, water-saving technologies are being introduced.

In particular, in 2020–2024, 60 trillion soums of budget funds and $622 million of foreign investments were allocated for these purposes. If in 2020 the areas where water-saving technologies were used accounted for only 4 percent of the total number of irrigated lands, then by 2025 this figure reached 50 percent.

In continuation of these efforts, a program for water resources management and development of the irrigation sector has been developed for 2025-2028.

Responsible persons at the presentation reported on the measures provided for in the program.

Priority attention in the program is paid to the rational use of water resources. It is planned to reconstruct 2,551 kilometers of irrigation networks. Replacing outdated pumping station equipment with more energy-efficient ones will reduce their annual electricity consumption from 6.8 to 6.2 billion kilowatt-hours.

Soil condition is an important factor in water consumption. Measures are envisaged to reduce areas with low water supply from 424 thousand to 276 thousand hectares, as well as improve the condition of lands with high levels of salinity and close groundwater. Thanks to this, 460 thousand hectares of land will return to agricultural production.

Water-saving technologies will be introduced on 1.4 million hectares, of which drip irrigation will be used on 293 thousand hectares. Control and measuring equipment is being modernized at 20 large facilities.

To minimize the human factor when accounting for water, modern monitoring will be introduced at 12 thousand reclamation wells and 1,750 pumps. Twelve large hydraulic structures will be transferred to automated control using digital technologies.

As a result of the program, the share of concrete-lined canals will increase from the current 39 to 47 percent, the quality of irrigation networks will improve, and water losses will decrease. It is expected that due to savings, 10 billion cubic meters of water will be saved this year and up to 14 billion cubic meters by 2028.

The head of state approved these proposals and approved the Program for water resources management and development of the irrigation sector in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2025-2028.

During the presentation information was also presented on increasing the efficiency and digitalization of the sphere, expanding the participation of the private sector.

Currently, automation of 18,755 gauging stations in regions, districts and farms has begun, the next stage will be the equipping of water distribution points in the fields.

The issue of digitalization of water management was especially touched upon. It was instructed to integrate 11 industry programs into a single platform, create an IT center and a situation center with extensive use of the capabilities of Uzbekcosmos.

The task was to equip 5,200 pumps with electricity and water meters, and convert large pumps to renewable energy sources. The obtained data will be accumulated on a digital platform, where an analysis of the economic efficiency of water use will be carried out.

Currently, 2,612 water bodies have been transferred to private management, now large pumping installations will be offered to the private sector, creating attractive conditions for investors.

Last year, 159 public water supply service institutions were created on the basis of district irrigation departments. To improve their activities, it is planned to provide them with the right to independently distribute their own funds.

Since the quality of services and the efficiency of the sector largely depend on the qualifications of specialists, it is planned to create a training center with 200 places to improve the skills of workers.

The President instructed to improve the regulatory framework of the sector, increase the efficiency of water use and strengthen the culture of respect for water in society.

Official website of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan