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Issues of water use efficiency were discussed under the chairmanship of the President
On February 3, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on ensuring efficient use of water resources and the widespread introduction of water-saving technologies, as reported.
Currently, water-saving technologies are applied on 2.6 million hectares of irrigated land in the country, accounting for 60% of the total irrigated area. For comparison, before 2017 such technologies covered only 19,000 hectares. As a result, around 2.5 billion cubic metres of water are saved annually.
By 2028, it is planned to introduce water-saving technologies on an additional 930,000 hectares, bringing the total to 3.5 million hectares or 80% of irrigated land. This will allow annual savings of 3.5 billion cubic metres of water, improve irrigation for 300,000 hectares and support secondary crop irrigation.
It was proposed to determine tax rates and subsidies for water resources based on the level of water availability of the land. For example, when implementing technologies in areas with unstable water supply, subsidies will be calculated using an increased coefficient of 1.25.
A new subsidy system will also be introduced for initiators implementing water-saving technologies with their own funds without bank loans. Under this system, 50% of the subsidy will be provided in advance based on project documentation and contracts with contractors.
Subsidies will now also be granted for areas where drip or discrete irrigation is used in grain cultivation.
A mechanism for partial compensation of interest on commercial bank loans for purchasing and installing water-saving technologies will be introduced. Loans for drip irrigation on cotton fields will be issued annually starting from November.
Contractors installing water-saving technologies will be required to provide at least a 2-year warranty and 5-year service maintenance for each project.
Issues related to improving state supervision in this area were also discussed.
To improve water management, smart water metering devices integrated with the “Suv hisobi” information system will be installed at water intake points in rice fields and fish farms.
Regional divisions of the Water Facilities Safety Inspection will establish departments for water-saving technologies and monitoring. Business inspections will be conducted using body cameras, and drones will be used to monitor water use and losses in agricultural fields.
Plans for staff training and professional development were also presented. In particular, within the “Water School” project this year, employees of 10,000 farms will receive training, and 358 water management specialists will be sent abroad for advanced training.
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