The Problems of Management and Effective Utilization of Water and Ground Resources in Uzbekistan

Abstract

Agriculture is the largest sector of the economy of Uzbekistan which provides more than 35% of gross domestic product and about 25% of export. The agriculture sector is a source of investment to other sectors of economy. In the early 1990s the least recession was marked in republican agriculture sector, in comparison with others, thus the sector in the following years was characterised by little, but steady growth. From all countries of Central Asian region Uzbekistan feels the greatest requirement for irrigating water as it has the greatest area of the irrigated soils and the highest number of agricultural population. According to experts at current use of water resources in 20-25 years Uzbekistan will face a sharp shortage of water for agricultural needs. In the intermediate term, the prospect of serious conflicts of interests will arise at water distribution between economy sectors, at interstate level and at local level between water users of the top and bottom current of the rivers, between water consumers and ecosystems. Increase of efficiency of water use, the water savings and the demand management based on fair distribution of water and achievement of compromises, is the vital problem for Uzbekistan and other states of Central Asia.