There will be a transition to an emergency mode of operation to save water

On November 29, a video conference on measures of rational use of water resources and reduction of their losses was held under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In our country, 20 percent of water resources are formed in our country, the remaining part is on the territory of neighboring states. As a result of climate change, water sources are decreasing from year to year. The situation regarding the management of transboundary rivers remains difficult. According to forecasts, by 2030, water shortage in our country may reach 15 billion cubic meters.

However, even in such conditions, water is used irrationally. In our country, 90 percent of water resources are spent on agriculture. For example, 10-11 thousand cubic meters of water are spent on irrigation of 1 hectare of a cotton field per year, whereas in countries with similar climates and soils - 2-3 times less water. And all this is achieved through proper water management, preventing their loss.

About $1 billion is spent annually on water management. The sphere is the 4th largest recipient of budget allocations after education, healthcare and agriculture. However, due to incorrect calculations, preservation of outdated approaches to water resources management, this does not give the expected effect.

Problems, new initiatives and tasks in this area were discussed at the meeting. The Head of State noted that the coming year will be a period of transition to an emergency mode of work to save water.

At the same time, the primary task is the concreting of canals and ditches. It is estimated that in irrigation systems with natural cover, an average of 14 billion cubic meters or 36 percent of water is lost per year without any economic benefit. The largest number of losses occurs in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Namangan, Navoi, Khorezm and Bukhara regions. In the 175 thousand hectares of cultivated areas located at the end of the canals, the situation with water supply is very difficult.

In general, as a result of water losses, the economy loses $5 billion in revenue per year.

In this regard, the water sector has declared a "shock year for concreting channels". The task has been set to concrete 1,500 kilometers next year, that is, 4 times more channels than this year. In 2025, at least 2 thousand kilometers of canals will have to be concreted.

It is emphasized that the most optimal time for this is the months from November to March. Therefore, it is already necessary to start building channels with ready-made projects. The khokims of regions and districts were instructed to transfer 3,500 kilometers of internal irrigation systems to concrete coverings in one year. It was noted that by providing clusters and farmers interested in this special equipment and construction materials, it is possible to halve costs.

The second important task is to introduce water-saving technologies.

There are 4.3 million hectares of irrigated areas in our country, of which 30 percent have implemented water-saving technologies. In such clusters and farms, water savings of 30-40 percent, fertilizers and fuel – by 25-30 percent, as well as increased yields are achieved.

However, in the Kashkadarya region, where the cost of water is high, only 16 percent of the land is irrigated by this method. Not enough work is being done on laser leveling of land, which is the simplest agrotechnical measure that allows saving water. In Kashkadarya, Samarkand and Tashkent regions, such areas account for less than 10 percent.

One of the reasons is the lack of an established mechanism for reimbursing part of the loan to farmers who have implemented water-saving technologies. Therefore, a new financing system was established at the meeting. For clusters and farms wishing to introduce water-saving technologies, a credit line will be created for 5 years, with a 2-year grace period, with an interest payment of 14% per annum. To do this, an open electronic platform will be launched, where the process of concluding contracts with both the bank and suppliers will take place online.

Specialists are given instructions on financial and organizational aspects. It was noted the need to expand the areas with water-saving technologies annually, to study the experience of Turkey, Spain and China in this area.

In the next three years, the practice of subsidizing 15 percent of the cost of agricultural machinery and 30 percent of the cost of laser levelers will continue. Until 2026, laser leveling will be performed on all sown areas. After 2026, land and water taxes on areas without laser leveling will be significantly increased.

The third important task is to reduce the cost of water delivery.  

Currently, an average of 212 soums is spent on 1 cubic meter of water supplied to clusters and farmers. However, it is 2-3 times more expensive in Bukhara, Kashkadarya and Namangan.

At the same time, 63 percent of water costs are accounted for by pumping stations. In particular, 7 billion kilowatt hours of electricity are consumed per year for irrigation.  Since 80 percent of the water pumps are outdated, the energy consumption is high.

The Head of State noted that the most correct way to reduce costs and increase efficiency is to modernize pumps and transfer their management to a private partnership.

Several projects are already being implemented in this direction.  The task has been set to accelerate this work, and with the participation of international financial organizations, 95 pumping stations need to be updated, and a tender for another 118 pumping stations should be announced early next year.

At the same time, foreign companies have put forward an initiative to take over the management of 268 pumps.

It is indicated that, in general, thanks to these measures, next year the cost of powering pumps can be reduced by 300 million kilowatt-hours, and over the next three years – by 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours.

The Ministry of Water Resources has been instructed, together with international financial organizations, to develop a three-year program for the modernization of pumps. Instructions are given on the introduction of modern management in the field, water accounting.

Reports of the Minister of Water Resources, khokims and other leaders were heard at the meeting.