Mudflows damage canals as Tajikistan’s irrigation sector struggles with low payment rates

Tajikistan's Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation is engaged in five international projects valued at approximately $179 million, aiming to improve the nation's water management systems. However, the sector continues to grapple with persistent issues that hinder its effectiveness and sustainability.

Director Zafarbek Davlatzoda highlighted critical challenges during a news conference on July 9. These include extensive damage to canals caused by mudflows, a persistent problem in the region, and an alarmingly low rate of payment collection from water users. Compounding these issues is the aging and inadequate state of pumping infrastructure, which requires significant investment for modernization.

Davlatzoda revealed that only 39 percent of the cost for water supplied to users is being recovered. This financial shortfall, coupled with the need to upgrade dozens of pumping stations, poses a substantial obstacle to the sector's development and its ability to support Tajikistan's agricultural needs. The agency is actively seeking solutions to these multifaceted problems.

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Only 39 percent of the cost of water supplied to users is being paid, while dozens of pumping stations require modernization.