EU and UNDP launch solar-powered drip irrigation system in Tashkent region
A solar-powered drip irrigation system has been launched in the Akkurgan district of the Tashkent region. The project was implemented by UNDP with financial support from the European Union. Water is pumped from a well at a depth of 180 m using solar energy. The system’s capacity is sufficient to irrigate 3 hectares of land.
The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme have launched a new solar-powered drip irrigation system in the Akkurgan district of the Tashkent region, the press service of the UNDP office in Uzbekistan reported.
As noted in the report, in rural areas of Uzbekistan, where many families grow vegetables on their own plots, the growing shortage of water is making it increasingly difficult to obtain a sustainable harvest of vegetable crops.
The Akkurgan district is known for its low water supply, so it was chosen for the implementation of the drip irrigation system. The system includes a water pump that pumps water from a vertical irrigation well at a depth of 180 m using solar energy generated by solar panels.
Today, the system irrigates 0.8 hectares of land, benefiting 10 households and saving about 60% of water compared to traditional irrigation methods. However, the capacity of this irrigation system is enough to irrigate 3 hectares of land, which could benefit another 20 households.
The surplus electricity generated by the solar panels is sold to the state electricity grid, and the revenue from the sale is used to manage and operate the water borehole and the drip irrigation system.
Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan, emphasized that “the solar-powered drip irrigation system not only solves the problem of water shortages, but also paves the way for more sustainable agriculture in Uzbekistan. Most importantly, it directly benefits local households by increasing their access to electricity and water for irrigation, and therefore also ensures food security and increases incomes.”
UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Akiko Fujii said: “Today’s launch of the solar-powered drip irrigation system is a significant milestone in improving the living standards of people across Uzbekistan. We also see how technological innovation can help us achieve several Sustainable Development Goals, such as reducing poverty, ending hunger, ensuring water and energy security, and protecting land.”
The opening ceremony was held in the presence of First Deputy Minister of Water Resources Timur Butunbaev, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Alisher Shukurov, Khokim of Akkurgan district Tura Bobolov, as well as staff of the Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems and residents of the mahalla.
The initiative was implemented by the Innovation Group of specialists from the Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems, the Research Institute of Vegetable, Melon and Potato Crops, the International Center for Strategic Development and Research in Food and Agriculture (ISCAD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Services Center (AKIS) in Tashkent region and residents of the Koshtepa rural citizens' meeting.
The launch of the new drip irrigation system and the Innovation Group were carried out within the framework of the project "Supporting an inclusive transition to a green economy in the agri-food sector and developing a climate-resilient knowledge and innovation system in agriculture in Uzbekistan" (EU-AGRIN). The project is implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and is funded by the European Union.
EU and UNDP launch solar-powered drip irrigation system in Tashkent region - News (agroworld.uz)