145
substantially increasing water productivity in agriculture is essential to meet the
goals of food and environmental security. To achieve it, research that spans the wide
range of analysis is required.
Studies of Kenjabaev ( 2014 ) in Fergana province showed that irrigation water
productivity for cotton and wheat tended to increase while the irrigation water supply decreased. Defi cit irrigation could be one of the factors ensuing water productivity variability for cotton and wheat. Ergo, there is a high potential for farmers to
save irrigation water through the improved water management and agronomic practices that ensure high water productivity.
10.6 Conclusions
Management of irrigation and drainage infrastructure is very complex in the Fergana
Valley. Although temporary water withdrawal from collector-drainage systems is
complicating water accounting, irrigation water management within hydrographic
units is in accordance with the morphology of the river basin.
Improved water management should provide reliable (with minimal fl uctuations)
and manageable fl ow rates to all water consumers within the canal command area.
Currently, the process of agricultural restructuring is not complete; therefore, questions about the fi nancial and economic aspects in agriculture and water management
are still in the development stage.
Deterioration of irrigation and drainage systems and lack of maintenance are
common problems in the region. Specifi c water consumption is high because of
water losses, evaporation and overwatering. Efforts have been made in riparian
countries to enhance irrigation systems and their effi ciency, particularly through
introduction of the integrated water resources management (IWRM) principles
(Dukhovny et al. 2013 ); however, a shortage of fi nancial resources for renovation,
maintenance and further upscaling within the entire basin persists. Further efforts
are also needed to improve water effi ciency; to increase effectiveness of irrigation
systems, including repairs and maintenance of the existing infrastructure; to switch
to less water demanding crops and to limit the irrigated land area.
Environmental impact assessments of planned transboundary projects should be
carried out in a more systematic manner, involving the countries and populations
affected. This is particularly relevant for planned hydropower projects in Kyrgyzstan
and Tajikistan. Also, cooperation on the management of reservoirs can bring benefi ts by addressing the needs of different sectors; different reservoirs in a cascade
can have complementary operating modes. Developing small-scale hydropower
projects, which do not disrupt water fl ows and are less damaging to the environment, could be considered as an option for energy generation.
Transboundary monitoring needs to be signifi cantly strengthened, especially that
of water quality. Research on groundwater, which plays a potentially important role
in sustaining ecosystems and limiting land degradation, should also be intensifi ed.
10 Irrigation Infrastructure in Fergana Today: Ecological Implications – Economic…
substantially increasing water productivity in agriculture is essential to meet the
goals of food and environmental security. To achieve it, research that spans the wide
range of analysis is required.
Studies of Kenjabaev ( 2014 ) in Fergana province showed that irrigation water
productivity for cotton and wheat tended to increase while the irrigation water supply decreased. Defi cit irrigation could be one of the factors ensuing water productivity variability for cotton and wheat. Ergo, there is a high potential for farmers to
save irrigation water through the improved water management and agronomic practices that ensure high water productivity.
10.6 Conclusions
Management of irrigation and drainage infrastructure is very complex in the Fergana
Valley. Although temporary water withdrawal from collector-drainage systems is
complicating water accounting, irrigation water management within hydrographic
units is in accordance with the morphology of the river basin.
Improved water management should provide reliable (with minimal fl uctuations)
and manageable fl ow rates to all water consumers within the canal command area.
Currently, the process of agricultural restructuring is not complete; therefore, questions about the fi nancial and economic aspects in agriculture and water management
are still in the development stage.
Deterioration of irrigation and drainage systems and lack of maintenance are
common problems in the region. Specifi c water consumption is high because of
water losses, evaporation and overwatering. Efforts have been made in riparian
countries to enhance irrigation systems and their effi ciency, particularly through
introduction of the integrated water resources management (IWRM) principles
(Dukhovny et al. 2013 ); however, a shortage of fi nancial resources for renovation,
maintenance and further upscaling within the entire basin persists. Further efforts
are also needed to improve water effi ciency; to increase effectiveness of irrigation
systems, including repairs and maintenance of the existing infrastructure; to switch
to less water demanding crops and to limit the irrigated land area.
Environmental impact assessments of planned transboundary projects should be
carried out in a more systematic manner, involving the countries and populations
affected. This is particularly relevant for planned hydropower projects in Kyrgyzstan
and Tajikistan. Also, cooperation on the management of reservoirs can bring benefi ts by addressing the needs of different sectors; different reservoirs in a cascade
can have complementary operating modes. Developing small-scale hydropower
projects, which do not disrupt water fl ows and are less damaging to the environment, could be considered as an option for energy generation.
Transboundary monitoring needs to be signifi cantly strengthened, especially that
of water quality. Research on groundwater, which plays a potentially important role
in sustaining ecosystems and limiting land degradation, should also be intensifi ed.
10 Irrigation Infrastructure in Fergana Today: Ecological Implications – Economic…