Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Rural Areas in Uzbekistan
Technical Capacity Building (Component 2) Project #: 00090379 EU-WATER
Description
Within Component 2 of the “Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Rural Areas in Uzbekistan” project, the primary objective was to enhance the technical capacities of water management organizations operating at basin, water user association and farm levels. The goal of the project, funded by the European Union, UNDP and the Government of Uzbekistan to the tune of USD 6 428 150, was to ensure that rural communities could derive concrete benefits from the sustainable management of natural resources. The overarching intention was to improve the resilience of users to disasters and climate change by optimizing water supply and enhancing the efficiency of water resource management at various organizational tiers.
Technology
- Mobile app
- Desktop/web-based application
- Remote sensing
- GIS
- Sensor
- Internet of things (IoT)
The project saw the introduction of electronic water-accounting devices known as “smartsticks”, designed to measure the volume of water in on-farm irrigation canals, as well as the flow of water to individual farmer plots. Utilizing ultrasonic sensors, the water level is determined, and the discharge is calculated based on hydro station data transmitted to a server. Paired with mini-gauging stations at plot boundaries, these “smartsticks” relay the water discharge readings to individual farmers. Across 50 hydroposts in pilot regions, 50 sensor devices were installed to monitor the delivery and consumption of water. In addition, an online monitoring system was introduced in 13 regional ameliorative departments of the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) utilizing GIS technologies to provide data on groundwater, soil quality and other such parameters. Finally, water-saving technologies were introduced in Makhallas (villages) operating drip irrigation and intensive horticulture systems on 35 pilot plots and on a 1.5-hectare farm across six pilot project regions.
Target
- Smallholder farmers
- Public sector
- Academia and research institutions
The project targeted a variety of actors in six regions: Sirdarya, Kashkadarya, Samarkand, Khorezm, Surkhandarya and Fergana. The main beneficiaries are the Ministry of Water Resources, the pilot basin irrigation system authorities, the pilot water users associations, the pilot communities (Makhallas ), farmers, smallholders and households.
Impact
The final evaluation report suggested the project had been successful in implementing a water management programme and greatly improved access to water by farms and the rural population in Uzbekistan, with improved water supplies to 13 000 ha of land, and providing thousands of people with easy access to safe drinking water.
Partners
European Union; Government of Uzbekistan; Ministry of Water Resources; pilot basin irrigation system authorities; pilot water users associations; State Committee for Ecology and Environment; Uzhydromet center and Uzhozvodnadzor inspection; Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Engineers of Mechanization in Agriculture and Irrigation and Water Problems Institute; etc.
