In rural Uzbekistan, where many families rely on their backyard gardens to grow vegetables, rising water scarcity is making it increasingly difficult to sustain their crops. As these challenges mount, innovative solutions come to save the day.

The new drip irrigation system has been introduced in Akkurgan District, Tashkent Region — an area known for its challenging water supply conditions. The system includes a water pump that extracts water from vertical well at the depth of 180 meters, with the support of solar panels. Today the system irrigates 0,8 hectares of land, benefiting 10 households and saving close to 60% of water compared to traditional irrigation methods. The capacity of this solar powered irrigation system can be sufficient for the irrigation of 3 hectares of land, potentially benefiting 20 more households.

As climate change and increased demand for water threatens environment and food security in Uzbekistan, the government is promoting cost-effective farmer-led irrigation as a key climate adaptation measure. The excess electricity generated by the solar panels is sold to the State Electricity System, and the revenue is used to manage and operate the irrigation well and the drip irrigation network.

Mr. Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Uzbekistan highlighted that "this solar-powered drip irrigation system does not only address the water scarcity but also paves the way for a more sustainable agriculture in Uzbekistan. Most importantly, it brings direct benefits to local families by increasing their access to electricity and water for irrigation, thus, also food security and incomes’’.

Ms. Akiko Fujii, Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of this project: "Today’s launch of the solar-powered drip irrigation system is a milestone in improving the lives of people across Uzbekistan. We also witness how technological innovation can help us achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals, namely, on poverty reduction, zero hunger, water and energy security and land protection."

The official launch ceremony was also attended by Mr. Alisher Shukurov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Timur Butunbaev, First Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Tura Bobolov, Khokim of Akkurgan district, as well as the experts from the Scientific Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems and local community members.

This initiative was implemented by the local Innovation Group comprised of specialists from the Scientific Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems, Scientific Research Institute of Vegetables, Melon Crops and Potato, the International Strategic Centre for Agri-Food Development (ISCAD) under the Ministry of Agriculture, the Center for Agricultural Services (AKIS) and Koshtepa Assembly of Neighborhood Citizens.

"Already in June, plants used to dry up from the heat without rain. With drip irrigation, even in summer our garden pleases us with greens, fresh tomatoes, eggplants, bell peppers. Now we enjoy gardening," shared Maftuna Akhmedova, a resident of one of the households.

Both new drip irrigation system and the Innovation Group were launched as part of the project “Supporting an inclusive transition to a green economy in the agri-food sector and development of a climate-smart Uzbek Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System” (EU-AGRIN). The project is implemented by the UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and funded by the EU.