Field visits to select pilot fields for irrigation norm and hydromodule zoning studies in the Fergana Valley

From 13 to 17 October 2025, as of the project “Correction of hydromodule zoning of the Syr Darya River Basin using remote sensing data and satellite mapping technologies for correction of water consumption and irrigation regimes for agricultural crops cultivated in the region,” a series of field visits was conducted in three provinces of the Ferghana Valley, such as Andizhan, Namangan, and Fergana.

Project implementers in collaboration with representatives of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as water management specialists and farmers from the three provinces took part in these visits.

The main purpose of the visits was to select pilot fields under winter wheat to conduct studies of irrigation regimes in different hydromodule zones across the Valley. By collecting the required data, it is planned to revisit crop water requirements using modern satellite technologies and remote sensing methods.

During the field visits, participants studied crop areas, held meetings with farmers, and discussed the efficiency of current irrigation practices as well as opportunities for adopting innovative water use approaches based on RS and field measurements.

In addition, the project team participated in the First Fergana Peace Forum, which took place in the city of Fergana on 15–16 October 2025.

Mr. Sherzod Muminov from SIC ICWC spoke at the second panel session “Water Guardians in the Fergana Valley: Women and Youth led solutions for climate resilient peace.” During the session, he presented the current project progress, emphasizing its critical role in promoting sustainable water use, improving irrigation efficiency, and helping the agricultural sector adapt to climate change in the region.

The results of the field mission will serve as a basis for developing detailed hydromodule zoning maps, which will help enhance the accuracy of forecasting crop water requirements, improve irrigation system management, and make a significant contribution to sustainable water use in the Ferghana Valley.

For reference: The project is implemented under an agreement between the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (EC IFAS) and the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SIC ICWC) of Central Asia, with financial support from the French Development Agency (AFD). It is carried out within the framework of the Fourth Aral Sea Basin Program (ASBP-4) for 2020–2030, approved by the Decision of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) on 29 June 2021 in Dushanbe.