World Bank allocates \$200 million to modernize Uzbekistan’s irrigation systems

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a concessional loan of \$200 million for Uzbekistan to implement a project aimed at modernizing irrigation and drainage infrastructure and improving the quality of irrigation services provided to farmers. This was reported by the bank's press service.

The project is designed to reduce water losses and enhance the energy efficiency of irrigation systems across five regions of the country. The government of Uzbekistan is expected to contribute an additional \$23.2 million in co-financing.

According to reports, the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan will oversee the implementation of the project in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as the Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Namangan, and Surkhandarya regions.

As part of the initiative, 259 kilometers of eight major canals linked to the Amu Darya and Syrdarya rivers and running through the mentioned regions will be concreted. To achieve this, modern water-saving materials, including geomembranes, will be used.

Additionally, canal banks will be reshaped and elevated to enable self-flowing water supply, minimizing reliance on pumping systems. Around 470 hydraulic structures will be built to improve water distribution management along the canals. Controlled water outlets equipped with flow meters will be installed, and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system will be introduced to manage water supply processes more efficiently.

Expected outcomes of the project include:

- Improved irrigation services across 232,000 hectares of farmland, boosting agricultural productivity in the covered areas.
- More reliable irrigation access for 180,000 water users, including 80,000 women.
- An annual reduction in water losses by approximately 540 million cubic meters, promoting more efficient water use.
- Savings of over 165 million kWh of electricity per year, increasing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs in the irrigation sector.

It is worth noting that the World Bank had previously approved a concessional loan of \$35 million for Uzbekistan. Those funds are intended for a project aimed at enhancing the use of geospatial information by citizens and the private sector in line with international standards.