According to the Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation under the Government of Tajikistan (Agency), all rivers in the country have abundant water sufficient for irrigation.
Over the first six months of this year, the Agency has supplied water users with 1.81 billion cubic meters of water worth 87.2 million somonis, the AgencyDirector Zafarbek Davlatzoda told reporters in Dushanbe on July 25.
Water users, however, paid for only 14% of the agency's services, Davaltzoda stated, emphasizing that payment for water supply services is considered a crucial factor for the development of the sector.
"It helps prepare irrigation networks for the irrigation season and ensure consumers have irrigation water,” Agency director said.
Over the same six-month period, water users have reportedly paid only 12.2 million somonis for water supply services.
Davlatzoda further noted that there is no water shortage for irrigating fields in Tajikistan this year. "There were problems with the Aksu and Khojabaqirgan canals in the Sughd province, where little water came from neighboring Kyrgyzstan in the spring, but the situation improved by early June. This year, all rivers in Tajikistan have plenty of water, and it is enough for irrigation," Davlatzoda said.
It was noted that the high water levels are likely due to the rapid melting of glaciers.
The Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan reported that snow reserves in the basins of most rivers are at 82% of the long-term average, which is 16% less than the same period last year.
Since January 1, 2024, consumers have been paying 5 dirams per cubic meter of water for irrigating their fields, including VAT (previously, they paid 2 dirams).
The Agency's management noted that considering the tariff increase, they are gradually reducing debts for electricity used to operate pumping stations. Currently, the Agency's debt to the Open Joint-Stock Company (OJSC) Barqi Tojik (the company responsible for generation of heat and electricity in Tajikistan) is 132.7 million somonis, down from 168.4 million somonis last year.
To support the sector, the Agency is implementing four investment projects: Improving Water Resource Management in the Khatlon Province; "Water Resource Management in the Panj River Basin; Climate and Disaster Resilient Irrigation System in the Vakhsh River Basin; and Improving Water Resource Management and Irrigation in Tajikistan.
A total budget of these projects is reportedly US$182.3 million, of which US$66.6 million, or 37% of the planned implementation, has been spent to date.
To improve the reclamation situation, the Agency also calls on local authorities to take measures for timely payment for water supply services and allocate funds to improve the reclamation state of the land.
