WATER SAVING IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN UZBEKISTAN: TRENDS, TECHNOLOGY MIX, AND REGIONAL PATTERNS (2019–2023)

Asrakulov Javlonbek

Authors

Asrakulov Javlonbek PhD student International Agriculture University, Uzbekistan

Keywords:

water saving technologies; irrigation; drip irrigation; laser land leveling; regional analysis; Uzbekistan; 2019–2023

Abstract

This paper provides an economic-statistical overview of the scale-up of water saving irrigation technologies in Uzbekistan during 2019–2023, using official administrative/statistical records disaggregated by region and technology type. We describe yearly dynamics, the composition of adopted technologies (drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, discrete irrigation, flexible-pipe irrigation, film-furrow methods, and laser land leveling), and heterogeneity across regions and crop groups. Descriptive indicators include year-on-year growth, shares, rankings, and simple comparative metrics to highlight the pace and structure of adoption. The total area reported under water saving technologies expanded from 35.7 thousand ha in 2019 to 348.9 thousand ha in 2023, peaking at 433.0 thousand ha in 2021. Over the whole period, the cumulative area reached 1.22 million ha. Technology composition is dominated by laser land leveling (about 52.2% of the cumulative area) and drip irrigation (36.5%), while sprinkler irrigation accounts for around 6.8%. Regional patterns are uneven: in 2023, Khorezm, Bukhara, Samarkand, Karakalpakstan and Kashkadarya together accounted for roughly half of the national water saving technologies area. These patterns suggest that further policy attention is needed to sustain adoption beyond one-off surges, strengthen financing and extension services, and tailor technology packages to region- and crop-specific water constraints.

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