World Bank Approves $75 Million for Tajikistan Water and Irrigation Modernization

Tajikistan is set to significantly upgrade its water and irrigation infrastructure through a major project backed by the World Bank. The International Development Association (IDA) has approved a $75 million grant for the Second Strengthening Water and Irrigation Management (SWIM-2) project, which aims to modernize systems and support reforms.

This initiative is expected to bring improved irrigation services and economic opportunities to around 470,000 farmers and rural community members. The project will focus on rehabilitating and modernizing irrigation infrastructure across 100,000 hectares of agricultural land. Alongside infrastructure upgrades, it will advance institutional reforms for better water resource planning, management, and delivery across Tajikistan's river basins.

"This investment reflects the World Bank’s deep commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable future for Tajikistan," said Gael Raballand, the World Bank Group Country Manager for Tajikistan. "By modernizing the systems that farmers depend on every day, the country can unlock its agricultural potential, strengthen food security, and build a resilient economy."

Key upgrades include rehabilitating at least 20 pumping stations and major irrigation facilities. These improvements are projected to boost water conveyance efficiency from 60% to 80% and achieve cumulative energy savings of 65,000 MWh, leading to an estimated annual reduction of 29,000 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. The project also anticipates supporting the creation of over 8,000 new, better-paid jobs and making about 180,000 existing agricultural livelihoods more resilient to climate variability, thereby increasing food security for an estimated 200,000 people.

Beyond infrastructure, SWIM-2 champions a strong institutional reform agenda. It will support the digital transformation of national water and irrigation management systems, bolster Water User Associations and Basin Irrigation Scheme Administrations, and establish a Carbon Finance Program to position the sector for long-term climate finance revenue. The project benefits from significant international partnerships, with the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Islamic Development Bank pledging $50 million each in co-financing, potentially bringing the total funding to approximately $175 million.

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This investment reflects the World Bank’s deep commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable future for Tajikistan. By modernizing the systems that farmers depend on every day, the country can unlock its agricultural potential, strengthen food security, and build a resilient economy.