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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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 27th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A driver has been arrested after ramming into a crowd at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver, leaving several people dead and injured.
France’s prime minister has vowed action after a Muslim worshipper was fatally stabbed in a mosque in what authorities are investigating as a possible Islamophobic crime.
A deadly explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port has left at least 18 dead and over 700 injured, halting operations at one of the country’s most vital trade hubs.
The Kremlin says President Putin confirmed readiness for direct talks with Ukraine during a meeting with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow.
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