Uzbekistan Advances Water and Energy Efficiency in Agriculture Under President Mirziyoyev’s Leadership
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: On November 7, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presided over a high-level videoconference addressing critical steps to optimize water and energy resource management and reduce agricultural losses. Amid rising global environmental challenges, Uzbekistan faces acute water shortages, prompting the government to prioritize sustainable practices and water-saving technologies.
In recent efforts, Uzbekistan has improved water distribution across 200,000 hectares by concreting 550 kilometers of canals and irrigation ditches, resulting in an annual saving of 450 million cubic meters of water. Additionally, 13,500 kilometers of internal networks were upgraded by farmers and agricultural clusters, marking a significant leap toward efficient resource management.
A reformed water management system now employs a metering framework that enables farmers to monitor their consumption, doubling water delivery to fields and incorporating an additional 6 billion cubic meters into the system. Despite these advancements, substantial challenges remain; the average water supply cost per cubic meter reaches 212 UZS, with Bukhara, Kashkadarya, and Namangan regions facing costs up to three times higher.
Over the last few years, Uzbekistan has allocated $1 billion to modernize key pumping stations, including Karshi, Amu-Bukhara, and Amu-Zang. However, the reliance on aging medium and small pumps continues to elevate water supply costs. To combat inefficiencies, President Mirziyoyev outlined tasks for concreting 18,000 kilometers of main canals and 94,000 kilometers of internal canals, with a budget of 800 billion UZS set for next year.
The government aims to lower construction costs further by streamlining contracts and supporting local suppliers. Additionally, accelerated water flow in concrete-lined canals enables the installation of small hydroelectric power plants, as seen in Navoi region, where 148 plants with a combined capacity of 11 megawatts have been constructed. Plans are underway to build 2,000 micro-hydropower stations to generate an additional 600 million kilowatt-hours annually.
President Mirziyoyev highlighted a recent success in Jizzakh’s Dustlik district, where a $21 million project established a smart water management system, including meters and cameras across 2,000 points. The automated system has saved 20% in water usage and another 10% in network repairs. In a pioneering move, the area’s water management was privatized, with water payments now collected in advance.
To address high energy demands, 2025 has been declared the Year of Increasing the Efficiency of Pumping Stations. Initiatives to partner with private entities and install energy-efficient pumps and solar panels are underway, expected to cut electricity usage by 20%. Farmers in Khorezm have already adopted these methods, generating surplus energy and additional income.
In another forward-looking measure, water-saving technologies have been adopted on over 2 million hectares, conserving 2 billion cubic meters last year alone. Next year, another 500,000 hectares will benefit from similar technologies. The subsidy program for laser field leveling will also be expanded to other regions to optimize water usage further.
President Mirziyoyev underscored digitalization as pivotal to transforming water management, calling for the establishment of a Water Management Digitalization Center under the Ministry of Water Resources. This center will launch an integrated system for real-time monitoring and data analysis, enhancing transparency and efficiency.
The session concluded with input from ministers, hokims, and experts, setting a strong foundation for ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan’s water and energy sectors, aiming for sustainability and resilience in the face of future challenges.
