During the recent Senate meeting of the Oliy Majlis, it was highlighted that approximately 90% of Uzbekistan's fresh water is utilized in the agricultural sector, resulting in significantly higher water consumption per hectare compared to technologically advanced countries. The focus of the discussion was on the rational use of water resources, the Senate's press service reports.
Efforts in efficient water resource management have yielded positive results, with the country witnessing a reduction in water consumption from 64bn m³ per year (as observed in the 1990s) to an average of 51bn m³. Additionally, the amount of water used per hectare of irrigated land has been lowered from 16,000m³ to 10,000m³.
However, despite these improvements, challenges persist in the field. The significant allocation of fresh water to agriculture remains a concern, and water consumption per hectare continues to be 2-2.5 times higher than in technologically advanced nations. The source of this issue is attributed to malfunctions in irrigation systems, leading to notable water losses during supply to cultivated fields.
Earlier, it was reported that by 2040 Uzbekistan may well be extremely short on water along with many countries of Central Asia and Gulf.
As the 43rd plenary session of the Senate approaches, several critical issues, including hydro-technical structures, court proceedings, the legal profession, volunteerism, animal world protection, veterinary matters, and more, will be discussed and addressed.
The line chart below depicts the percentage of people in Uzbekistan who have access to at least basic drinking water services.
The aim is to tackle the existing challenges and find effective solutions for optimizing water usage and ensuring sustainable water management practices in Uzbekistan.
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