50 water facilities in 22 districts of Uzbekistan to be transferred to the private sector in 2020

On September 19, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting to discuss the further reform of the water resources management system and widespread introduction of water-saving technologies, the presidential press service reports.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Energy was instructed to ensure, by the end of 2020, the connection of 1.7 thousand pumping stations to the automated control system for electricity consumption, as well as the widespread use of modern information technologies in general.

Time requires the introduction of market mechanisms in the field. Today sown areas, orchards and vineyards, even those that bring high profits, receive water at the expense of the state.

In this regard, the need was noted for transferring 50 water facilities in 22 districts to the private sector in 2020.

Special attention was paid at the meeting to the development of water management science and innovation, ensuring their integration with production.

The head of our state instructed to set up a design group at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers in order to introduce young scientists into scientific practice, develop students’ design skills, and stimulate innovation in the field with the engagement of foreign experience and specialists.

It was noted that in the realization of large projects, it is necessary to attach research workers and talented students to facilities, so that they could put scientific and innovative developments into practice and improve their skills abroad.

Widespread adoption of water-saving technologies is one of the key tasks in the field.

An analysis of the effectiveness of such technologies on the example of the Fergana region showed that farmers’ expenses for water supply decreased by 50 percent, for fertilizers – by 37 percent, for fuel – by 35 percent.

With this in mind, it was instructed to introduce water-saving technologies on 200 thousand hectares next year and on 1 million hectares of sown area through to the year 2025.

Currently, water management organizations have 4 thousand irrigation wells at their disposal, each of which serves 30 hectares of area, up to 40-50 million soums are spent on their activities a year. Irrational use of well waters during irrigation leads to a decline in the reserves of underground sources.

In this respect, responsible officials were urged to transfer well water consumers in 2020 to the use of water-saving technologies and the use of solar panels.

Currently, the functions of the customer and contractor for the construction, reconstruction and operation of water facilities are carried out by one agency – the Ministry of Water Resources. This can adversely affect healthy competition.

For this reason, the President stated that 57 contracting enterprises should be withdrawn from the ministry system and merged into a separate joint-stock company.

The activities of water consumer associations, as it was noted at the deliberations, should also be reviewed, turned into a professional structure capable of attracting investments, grants and other means, have a fleet of special equipment and provide quality services to farmers.

Responsible officials reported on issues discussed at the meeting.