BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 22. Uzbekistan has
identified an additional 30,000 hectares of land suitable for
agricultural development in Kashkadarya region using satellite
data, while planning to allocate 550 billion soums (about $46.1
million) for irrigation infrastructure upgrades next year,
according to a statement following a meeting chaired by President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the region’s socioeconomic development on
October 22.
This was reported on the official channel of the press secretary
to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sherzod Asadov.
The largest areas of newly identified land are located in
Mubarak, Koson and Kokdala districts. Additional land will also be
developed in Nishan, Qamashi, Karshi, Mirishkor, Guzor, Yakkabog,
Kitob, Chiroqchi and Shahrisabz districts.
Ten permanent advisers from Egypt will be involved in supporting
the land development initiative.
Mirziyoyev noted that supplying irrigation water to agricultural
fields in Kashkadarya remains both technically challenging and
costly.
To address these challenges, Uzbekistan plans to line 265
kilometers of irrigation canals with concrete and modernize 20
pumping stations next year, with 550 billion soums (about $46.1
million) allocated for the improvements.
In 2027, water-saving irrigation technologies are expected to be
introduced across 75,000 hectares of farmland in cooperation with
local farmers.
Meanwhile, four small water reservoirs, each with a capacity of
50,000 cubic meters, have been constructed this year in Koson,
Nishan, Qamashi and Mirishkor districts.
The initiative will be expanded, with two additional reservoirs
of the same capacity planned in each of the Koson, Nishan,
Mirishkor, Qamashi and Yakkabog districts by June 1, 2027.
