Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Irrigation - Rural water policy, institutional and capacity development - Water-based natural resources management

Transboundary water resources are an overarching challenge for the Central Asia region, particularly for Uzbekistan. Of the total 123 cubic kilometer of water resources of the Aral Sea Basin (ASB), only 9% originates within Uzbekistan highlighting its high water dependency. The country relies on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers and their tributaries which emanate in upstream riparian countries (Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan). As these countries continue to develop their water resources for hydropower, the importance of transboundary water cooperation for sustainable development, food security and livelihoods in Uzbekistan becomes increasingly critical.

Uzbekistan has the largest irrigated land4,233,000 hectares (ha) out of a total of 7,699,500 ha. Irrigated agriculture is the largest consumer of water resources accounting for 93% of all water utilized; and 96% of the total cropped land is irrigated (from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers and their tributaries). Currently, 68% of irrigated land produces cotton and wheat which have historically been given strategic priority by the Government of Uzbekistan. Yet, these crops are highly water consumptive compared to other crops and have low productivity (averaging 2.25 tons/ha for cotton and 4.2 tons/ha for wheat). Currently, 68% of irrigated land produces cotton and wheat. The government has committed to converting 170,000 ha of cotton and 50,000 ha of wheat to horticulture and livestock from 2016 to 2020. The TA will prepare feasibility studies to support increased water productivity particularly with high value cropping.

Supporting the rural economy. Uzbekistan has the largest population of the ASB countries29 million of a total population of 49 million. In 2015, about 12.8% of people in Uzbekistan lived below the national poverty line of which 75% live in rural areas. The rural population contributes significantly in agriculture, which employs 40% of the total workforce and represents 17% of gross domestic product. Although agricultural gross domestic product grew at an annual average rate of 9.8% from 2010 to 2015, agricultural growth slowed to 2.7% in the first half of 2018. This is compared to 5.8% in the first half of 2017 as crop diversification and a water deficit held growth in crop output to 1.1%. Improved water resources management is critical for sustained agricultural development and economic growth.