THE EVOLUTION OF IRRIGATION AND MELIORATION SYSTEMS IN UZBEKISTAN: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES AND RESULTS (BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE OF SURKHANDARYA REGION)

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the development and evolution of irrigation and land reclamation (melioration) systems in Uzbekistan during the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century, using Surkhandarya Region as a case study. The research analyzes the historical stages of irrigation development, the expansion of irrigated lands, and the construction and modernization of major canals, reservoirs, pumping stations, and collector-drainage networks. Particular attention is paid to the role of irrigation infrastructure in increasing agricultural productivity and supporting regional socio-economic development. The study also investigates large-scale irrigation projects implemented during the Soviet period, the impact of cotton monoculture on water management, and measures undertaken to improve the meliorative condition of agricultural lands. Furthermore, the socio-economic and environmental consequences of these policies are assessed through historical sources and scholarly literature. The reforms carried out during the years of Uzbekistan’s independence, including the modernization of water management systems, the introduction of water-saving technologies, and state programs aimed at improving land reclamation and irrigation efficiency, are comprehensively evaluated. Special emphasis is placed on the natural and geographical characteristics of Surkhandarya Region, its water resource potential, and the significance of irrigation systems connected with the Amu Darya basin. The study highlights both the positive outcomes of irrigation development—such as the expansion of cultivated land, increased crop yields, and improved living standards—and the challenges associated with soil salinization, water scarcity, and environmental degradation.