Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The launch ceremony of the project "Support for the intensification and diversification of agriculture and improved water management" was held in Tashkent within the framework of the EU grant project "Water Resources Management of the Ferghana Valley - Phase II"

The opening of the project Component “Support for intensification and diversification of agriculture and improvement of water resources management” within the framework of the EU grant project “Water Resources Management of the Fergana Valley – Phase II”.

The goal of the project is to ensure the sustainable development of irrigated agriculture and improve the efficiency of water and land use in the irrigation systems of three sub-projects in the Ferghana Valley: Isfairam-Shakhimardan (54,375 ha) Podshaota-Chodak (29,507 ha) and Savay-Akburasa (19,740 ha), as well as equipping the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture with modern water-saving technologies, preventing future water shortages, ensuring high crop yields and food security of the country.

The participants of the event within the framework of the project will consider the issues of innovative solutions in the water management system, outlined in the Concept for the Development of the Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030, the benefits of demo sites, conducting trainings for farmers and clusters in order to increase institutional knowledge.

In addition, a contract on consulting services will be signed between the Center for the Implementation of Foreign Investment Projects in the Water Sector and the consortium of companies "Annexure Financial Solutions Limited" (Hong Kong) / SMEC International Pty Limited (Australia). At the same time, memorandums of cooperation will be signed between representatives of the project Component B: "Support for the intensification and diversification of agriculture and improved water management" and a number of organizations, such as the Council of Farmers, Dekhkan Farms and Household Land Owners of Uzbekistan, the Center for Agricultural Knowledge, Innovation and Services (AKIS), Agricultural Women Association and ShirinMeva (Horticulture Marketing Technical Assistance project).

The project "Water Resources Management of the Ferghana Valley - Phase II" is being implemented in accordance with the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 16 September 2017.

As part of this project, from January 2022 to February 2024, a consortium of companies "Annexure Financial Solutions Limited" (Hong Kong) / "SMEC International Pty Limited" (Australia) is implementing Component B, which includes a training program "Support for the intensification and diversifying agriculture and improving water management”. The cost of the project is US$2.7 million.