79% of water in Central Asia is used for irrigation, EDB report reveals

A recent report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has highlighted the critical role of irrigation in water management across Central Asia, where 79% of the region's water is allocated to agricultural use.

The study emphasizes the importance of efficient irrigation technologies to sustain agricultural output and food security.

According to the EDB's 2025 report, Central Asia consumes 127.3 cubic kilometers of water per year, with 100.4 cubic kilometers—nearly four-fifths—directed towards irrigation. The report underscores that agriculture remains the dominant consumer of water in the region.

“Irrigated agriculture is vital for food security,” the report states. The significance of irrigation is particularly high in countries like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, where it contributes substantially to agricultural production. Despite occupying just 24% of all sown land, irrigated areas generate 66% of the region's total agricultural output. The report provides a breakdown of the figures: 100% of Turkmenistan's agricultural output is derived from irrigated lands, while other countries follow closely with varying levels: 87% in Uzbekistan, 85% in Kyrgyzstan, 82% in Tajikistan, and 40% in Kazakhstan.

In crop production specifically, irrigated areas account for about 80% of total agricultural output across the region. The reliance on irrigation is attributed to the region's climate, which is characterized by insufficient and unstable moisture levels, making irrigation essential for sustaining agricultural development.

Irrigated land also plays a critical role in ensuring agricultural stability, particularly during dry years when rainfall is inadequate. The report calls for further advancements in irrigation technologies to ensure more sustainable water use and mitigate the impacts of water scarcity in the region.

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