Uzbekistan is on the way to implement the concept of sustainable development of the irrigation sector.
The Concept for the development of the Water Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030 defines the goals, objectives, priorities and directions of development of the water sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the medium and long term. The Concept served as the basis for the development of the Strategy aimed at further development of the irrigation sector.
It should be noted that in accordance with the Concept, every 3 years, strategies for the development of the water economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan will be approved, by means of which the Concept is gradually implemented.
The President approved by Decree No. PD-5005 dated February 24, 2021, the Strategy for water resources management and development of the irrigation sector in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2021–2023. With the implementation of the Strategy, the followings will be provided:
Implementation of a total of 124 projects in the irrigation sector on the basis of public-private partnerships;
Reimbursement by water users of 9 percent of the cost of delivering water for irrigation;
Until October 1, 2021 – the establishment of a zero customs duty rate for the import of ethylene polymers (HS code 3901) and propylene polymers (HS code 3902);
Until July 1, 2021 – a gradual launch of an automated interdepartmental information system for water resources;
Bringing up to 18,576 units of the number of water facilities keeping water accounting based on the digital technology “Smart Water”;
Transfer of 60 large water facilities to automated control based on digital technologies;
Construction and restoration of 6 hydrological posts on rivers, equipping 6 hydrological posts with automated equipment based on digital technologies;
Online monitoring of electricity consumption and water consumption at 5,231 pumping units at 1,688 pumping stations of the Ministry of irrigation;
Reduction of the irrigated area with a low level of water supply from 526 thousand hectares to 424 thousand hectares;
Bringing the introduction of water-saving irrigation technologies from 308 thousand hectares to 1.1 million hectares, including drip irrigation technologies – from 121 thousand hectares to 822 thousand hectares;
Reduction of the area of saline lands from 1 926 thousand hectares to 1 888 thousand hectares;
Re-introduction of 232 thousand hectares of irrigated land areas that have been abandoned from agricultural use.