On November 29, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on measures of rational water consumption in Uzbekistan and reduction of its losses.
According to the head of state’s press service, 20% of water resources, or 10 billion cubic meters, are formed within the country, while the remaining 41 billion cubic meters are from neighboring countries. As a result of climate change, water resources in Uzbekistan have shrunk by 20% over the past three years. The situation regarding transboundary river management also remains difficult. According to forecasts, Uzbekistan’s water shortage could reach 15 billion cubic meters by 2030, the president alarmed.
“However, even under such conditions, water is used irrationally. In our country, 90% of water resources (46 billion cubic meters) are used for agriculture. For example, 10−11 thousand cubic meters of water is spent on irrigation of 1 hectare of cotton field per year. Meanwhile, countries with similar climate and soil, as well as a large volume of water spend 2−3 times less water. And all this is achieved through proper water management and water loss prevention,” the press-service statement reads.
The president inquired whether it is possible to talk about food security, high crop yields, income, exports and jobs with such an approach.
About $1 billion is allocated annually to the water sector — the 4th largest recipient of budget allocations after education, health and agriculture. However, as a result of incorrect calculations and outdated methodologies in water resources management, the expected effect is not attained, commented Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The President, addressing Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov, Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamraev, Minister of Agriculture Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, regional and district khokims (governor), outlined that 2024 will be the period of transition to the emergency regime of water saving. Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Adiz Boboyev heads the permanent responsible republican office.
At the same time, canal lining is the primary task. According to calculations, natural irrigation systems lose an average of 14 billion cubic meters or 36% of water per year without any economic benefit. The largest volume of losses is in Karakalpakstan (43%), Namangan (40%), Navoi (38%), Khorezm (38%) and Bukhara (37%) provinces; in 19 districts the figure exceeds 40%. The situation is the hardest for 3,200 farmers. 175 thousand hectares of their land at the end of canals do not receive sufficient amounts of water.
Annually, the economy loses $5 billion of income as a result of water losses.
The president believes paving cement in canals and ariqs (natural irrigation canals) is the only solution to the issue. Referring to the analysis of international experts, he claimed that lining 447 most important canals might reduce losses by 30%, or 4 billion cubic meters. The head of state announced a “peak year of canal lining” in the water sector.
The task has been set to pave 1,500 km of canals in concrete next year, i.e. 4 times more canals than in the current year. At least 2,000 km of canals are to be laid in concrete in 2025.
Period from November to March is marked to be the best for such maintenance works. Therefore, it is necessary to start the construction works with ready-to-implement projects now. Khokims of regions and districts will be accountable for transfering 3,500 kilometers of internal irrigation systems to concrete covers within one year. The cost can be halved by providing special equipment and construction materials to interest clusters and farmers.
The president issued an order to Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Adiz Boboyev, Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamraev, Deputy Minister of Water Resources Rustam Karshiyev and Chairman of Agrobank Rustam Mamatkulov too develop an algorithm to reduce costs and improve the quality of canal concreting in each region and district.
“We have to transfer pumping stations to private partners and replace (their equipment) with new energy-efficient ones… Boboyev will analyze costs and quality on a district-by-district basis and report to the president monthly. If we work on this system for two years, I believe there will be big changes,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed his vision.
Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamrayev denoted funds being attracted from international financial institutions, with 600 billion Uzbek soums state budget allocation.
In October, Uzbekistan reported to have almost $2 billion (excluding the $2.54 billion state debt) budgeted for the water sector over two years. Though over time, the water loss and the condition of pumps have only worsened. In 2024, distribution of another 1.7 trillion soums and $300 million in loans is planned.
In April 2023, the first deputy head of the Ministry of Water Resources brought up the country’s upcoming water shortage of seven billion cubic meters of water (25% of current volumes) by 2030. BCG partner estimated the cost of water saving initiatives in Uzbekistan at $10 billion. He said the government needs to properly prioritize costs.
Rising drinking water tariffs in Uzbekistan, the reduction of rice growing areas in Karakalpakstan, and the suspension of irrigation water supply from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan indicate an exacerbating water crisis in Central Asia. Gazeta.uz discussed the water issue with residents of the regions.
