The World Bank (WB) is currently launching the Ferghana Valley Water Resource Management Phase-I Project in the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan.  The economy of Uzbekistan is largely dependent upon the agricultural industry.

WB is investing in water use efficiency methods and rehabilitating the irrigation and drainage infrastructure in Uzbekistan’s Ferghana Valley in order to promote economic development in the country.

The economy of Uzbekistan is largely dependent upon the agriculture industry. Twenty-two percent of the Gross Domestic Product is produced by agriculture. Seventy percent of foreign trade is fueled by the agricultural industry and 90 percent of the country’s demand for agriculture is satisfied by domestic production.

IJsbrand de Jong Is the Sr Water Resources Specialist in the Agriculture and Rural Development Unit of the Europe and Central Asia Region at World Bank. In an interview, de Jong told WaterWideWeb, “Close to 90 percent of Uzbekistan’s agriculture is irrigated, and 25 percent of Uzbekistan’s irrigated area is located in the Ferghana Valley.”

Isbrand de Jong expanded on the details of World Bank’s Valley Water Resources Management Phase-I Project. Please read the extended interview below.

EAB: What are some of the short and long-term goals of the project?

IJ: The long-term objective of the project it to support key Uzbekistan priorities in the areas of poverty reduction and improvement of living standards of the population, environment, and provision of I&D (“Irrigation and Drainage”) services. The short term objective of the project is to improve agricultural production in areas affected by water-logging, and to reduce damage to housing and infrastructure from rising ground water levels and salinity in the project districts.

EAB: Will farmers be advised on best practices in water use efficiency?

IJ: The project will improve water use efficiency in a number of ways. In the first place, the project will invest in the physical improvements in the irrigation and drainage infrastructure to reduce water wastage. Secondly, the project will disseminate modern agricultural and water management practices to members of Water Users Associations and small dehkhan farmers through provision of training and establishment and operation of field demonstration plots, including pilot drip irrigation, on-farm water management, and integrated pest management. Thirdly, the project will strengthen capacities of regional and local staff of public water management institutions.

EAB: Will this project bring Uzbekistan closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

IJ: The project directly addresses MDG 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger. The project will do so by addressing constraints to improving agricultural production, As a result of this and other investments, incomes are expected to increase and poverty and hunger are expected to decline. Other MDGs will benefit indirectly, including improving health and environmental sustainability.

EAB: Please explain lessons learned thus far in the project.

IJ: The project was approved in September 2009 and became effective in March 2010. While the project has not yet been able to learn lessons from its own experience, important lessons learned from the implementation of similar projects in the Central Asia region have been reflected into the design of the project. These include a strong involvement from stakeholder in the design and implementation of investments, and the need to combine investments in infrastructure with capacity strengthening and institutional reforms.

EAB: What are some markers of progress thus far? Has the project developed in any new directions?

IJ: The project is currently in the process of launching a large irrigation and drainage rehabilitation contract through international bidding. It is expected that the works will start in early 2011. Other activities are expected to be launched soon. In view of its recent approval, it is too early to demonstrate impact.

EAB: Thank you for interviewing with WaterWideWeb.

IJ: You’re welcome.

The Ferghana Valley Project funded by World Bank is one piece in the intricate puzzle of achieving the MDGs in Central Asia. Improving irrigated farming methods and rehabilitating infrastructure is essential to maintaining the income generated by Uzbekistan from its agricultural industry. Implementing proven methods in water conservation and building water infrastructure will in turn yield a better crop turn out for local and regional farmers. Ensuring Uzbekistan’s economic development and stimulating growth will occur when proper measures are taken to advance agricultural water use practices at the local and regional level.