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.
The third Turkish-owned vessel has departed the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said on Monday....
A gunfight with police outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district left at least one attacker dead and two others in...
Iran said on Monday it wanted a lasting end to the war with the U.S. and Israel, and pushed back against p...
Construction has begun on a major new solar power project in Xizang, as China continues to expand its renewable energy capacity and push towards a ...
Trade between Georgia and Azerbaijan is on the rise, but business leaders say the current figures fall short of what the two neighbours could achie...
Iran warned it would strike energy and water infrastructure across the Gulf if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to attack its electricity grid, raising fears of mass disruption in a region heavily dependent on desalination for drinking water.
The world has already entered an era of global water bankruptcy, with irreversible damage to rivers, aquifers, lakes and glaciers pushing billions of people into long-term water insecurity, according to a major United Nations report released on Tuesday.
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.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters that Iran could be taken out in one night, "and that night might be tomorrow night," warning Tehran it had to make a deal by Tuesday night or face wider bombing raids.
The crew of Artemis II mission are entering a pivotal phase of their journey, as they prepare to swing around the Moon and head back towards Earth. Now on the fifth day of their 10-day mission, the four astronauts are already witnessing views no human has ever seen.
A new proposal to end hostilities between the United States and Iran could come into effect as soon as Monday, potentially reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz, a source familiar with the plan said on Monday.
Oil prices rose sharply on Monday as fears deepened over potential supply shortages caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, unsettling global energy markets and the row over the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns for consumers and businesses alike.
As Hungary approaches a crucial vote, younger citizens who grew up under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán are increasingly backing the opposition, with some saying they may leave if he secures another term.
The third Turkish-owned vessel has departed the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said on Monday.
South Korea is seeking alternative oil supplies from Kazakhstan as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz expose its reliance on Middle Eastern energy routes.
Trade between Georgia and Azerbaijan is on the rise, but business leaders say the current figures fall short of what the two neighbours could achieve together.
Afghanistan has moved to deepen health and trade cooperation with Uzbekistan, while also holding separate talks with Kyrgyz and Uzbek diplomats on regional ties, transit and future joint steps.
At least 10 people have died and several others were wounded after an Israeli airstrike on a neighbourhood outside a school sheltering displaced Palestinians on Monday (7 April), according to health officials.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment