The World Bank provided grants for the projects on rational water use

On June 26 the Central Asian fare on effective use of water resources in agriculture was held in Poytaht business-center.

39 finalists from 5 Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) gathered to represent their projects and seek funding for their implementation. Total budget is $300,000. Project budgets varied from $10,000 to $25,000.

The event was arranged by the World Bank and Department of International Development (Great Britain) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Availability and utilization of water resources in Central Asian has been and still remains a very sensitive issue. Separate regulations on water management adopted during the Soviet era caused shortage of water in agriculture.

Due to unfavorable weather conditions the volume of water in the main rivers has decreased which caused anxiety that in long-term perspective the climate change will make negative impact on production of foodstuff in the region.

The Central Asian Fare of Ideas 2009 aimed at improving situation with water resources in agriculture through implementation of ration water use projects.

The contest gathered different organizations including farmers’ associations (foodstuff producers), associations of water users, civil-based organizations, academia, research institutions, etc.

The event demonstrated that the participants from all Central Asian states have high potential in solving the problems caused by water deficit. The forum gave an opportunity to establish relations, exchange knowledge and experience.

39 projects were short-listed, 15 of them will be funded. Uzbekistan has the most winners – 4 persons, particularly Mukhamajon Bobojonov’s project (Akbarabad Association of Water Users) "Advanced methods of planning and distribution in AWU ", Sophia Alikhodjaeva representing Uzbek scientific research institute of cotton selection and seed-growing  with a project "Adaptation to the climate change through introduction of drought-resistant and salt-resistant cotton sorts ", Tolib Sultanov’s (Central Asian Regional Environment Center) topic “Effective use of underground water through application of renewable energy and drip irrigation”, and Masharif Bakiev (Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Melioration) gained grant for the project “Introduction of spill way meters to measure the water on farm land”.

Two other winners represented Kazakhstan, 3 winners – Tajikistan and 3 – Turkmenistan. Their projects will also be funded.

Source: UzReport