Promoting sustainable groundwater solutions for rural farming communities in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan (FARM)

Project type

Collaborative Research Project

Funding

German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany
Uzbek Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MHESI), Uzbekistan

Duration

10.2023 - 09.2025

Project coordinator

Technische Universität Dresden, Research Group INOWAS

Cooperation partner

International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea Basin under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan (IICAS)

Description

Intensive use of surface water for irrigation in agricultural practices over several decades in the Karakalpakstan region of Uzbekistan led to degradation of surface runoff quality and quantity. This affected also the hydraulically connected groundwater systems which became an expensive but partially feasible alternative for irrigated agriculture. Efforts to limit the use of groundwater were driven by the aim of not reducing even further the surface flow but in the context of declining surface water, groundwater continued to be exploited for irrigation purposes, including the high-quality non-renewable reservoirs. The combined effect of Aral Sea desiccation, severe droughts, changes in rainfall pattern and concentrated demand of water for agriculture and industrial use led to serious consequences. This includes the salinisation of agricultural soils and decrease of crop yields, reflected in negative water balances in many parts of the region.

The present project aims to address these issues on two strategical levels:

• To develop sustainable groundwater management and adaptation strategies based on socio-economic, environmental and technical requirements of the region
• To contribute to the further development of the scientific community in the country by sup- porting early-career research innovation

Project website

https://www.farm.inowas.com

Contact

© CS

Head of Research Group INOWAS

Name

Dr. Catalin Stefan

Projects: AGREEMAR, TERESA

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Organization Name

Research Group INOWAS

Research Group INOWAS

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