Promoting Sustainable Groundwater Solutions for Rural Farming Communities in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan (FARM)
Project Background
Intensive use of surface water for irrigation in agricultural practices over several decades in Karakalpakstan has resulted in deterioration of surface runoff quality and quantity. This has also impacted hydraulically connected groundwater systems, which have become an expensive but partially feasible alternative to irrigated agriculture.
Efforts to limit groundwater use have been driven by the goal of not further reducing surface runoff, but in the context of declining surface water, groundwater has continued to be exploited for irrigation purposes, including high-quality non-renewable reservoirs.
The combined effects of the drying of the Aral Sea, severe droughts, changes in precipitation patterns, and concentrated water demand for agriculture and industrial use have had serious consequences. This includes salinization of agricultural soils and reduced crop yields, which is reflected in a negative water balance in many parts of the region.
- Problems to be addressed
- Reduction of arable land;
- Primary and secondary soil salinization;
- Freshwater deficit (less than 1 g/l);
- Change in biological resources and degradation of the humus layer of soils;
- Poor melioration status of lands;
- Insufficient use of groundwater potential;
- Lack of sustainable mechanisms for the development of agricultural communities.
- Project objective
This project aims to address these issues at two strategic levels:
To develop sustainable groundwater management and adaptation strategies based on the socio-economic, environmental and technical requirements of the region. To promote further development of the scientific community in the country by supporting early scientific innovations. Main objectives of the project To achieve these goals, a transdisciplinary research group has been established at the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea Region under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan (IICA), following the example of the successful work of the INOWAS junior research group at the Technical University of Dresden in Germany. The group's research will focus on studying the possibilities of sustainable groundwater management. The work plan includes characterizing the ecological state of the Karakalpakstan region, as well as identifying and developing appropriate groundwater management solutions in cooperation with local decision makers and farming communities.
Reference: A tripartite agreement was signed to implement this international project jointly with the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea Region, the Technical University of Dresden (Germany) and the Agency for Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In particular, the following issues will be addressed within the framework of the project:
What are the spatial and temporal characteristics of the local groundwater system under extreme climatic conditions? How to transfer international best practices in groundwater management to the conditions of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan? How to ensure water security through more efficient use of available water resources? What are the ways to develop cooperation between government agencies, farmers and technology providers?
Expected results
- Improving the environmental sustainability of the Aral Sea region;
- Creating conditions for sustainable development of rural communities;
- Developing and implementing strategies for rational use of groundwater;
- Increasing the scientific potential of the region at the international level;
- Preparing practical recommendations for government agencies and farms;
- Transforming scientific results into economic and social practice.
- Project Manager: Alim Asamatdinov
- Chief Project Specialist: Karamatdin Dzhaksymuratov
- Specialists: Amangeldi Mambetnazarov, Karamatdin Abdijaliev, and Oralbay Kudiyarov
Partners: Technische Universität Dresden, Department of Hydrosciences
Research Group INOWAS. UN-FLORES University,
Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources
