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.
Prince Harry met with King Charles for tea on Wednesday at Clarence House, marking their first in-person meeting in nearly two years and a potential s...
At least nine people have died and hundreds displaced after floods swept through Indonesia’s holiday island of Bali this week, officials said Wednes...
Three teenagers are in critical condition after a shooting at a suburban Denver high school on Wednesday, authorities confirmed....
Conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has died after being shot at a university event in Utah, U.S. President Donald Tru...
Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has overtaken Elon Musk as the world’s richest person after a surge in the company’s stock lifted his net worth to...
Egypt and Sudan on Wednesday described Ethiopia’s Nile River dam as a “threat” to their countries, citing serious consequences for water security and regional stability.
Iran has inaugurated a $70 million water diversion initiative aimed at increasing the capital’s water supply.
The Tawila Cisterns, a network of ancient water reservoirs carved into Shamsan mountain, have been included in the Arab Architectural and Urban Heritage list by the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).
Iran is grappling with a worsening water crisis, with more than 20 of its 31 provinces suffering from severe shortages that have left the capital Tehran facing the risk of running dry.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Azerbaijan’s Academy of Sciences have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vatican Apostolic Library and Archive to preserve and digitize documents on Azerbaijani history.
Israel has launched new airstrikes on Sanaa and al-Jawf, targeting Houthi military sites in retaliation for recent attacks on its territory.
Kazakhstan and Pakistan have pledged to expand bilateral collaboration between the two countries by signing a mutual agreement hoping to bolster total trade volume to $1 billion.
King Charles has expressed his condolences to the people of Afghanistan following last week’s devastating earthquakes that killed more than 2,200 people in the eastern provinces of Kunar, Laghman and Nangarhar.
A Kazakh delegation visited Azerbaijan to strengthen cooperation with the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, focusing on security, law enforcement, and regional collaboration.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment