Only 9.8 percent of land in Uzbekistan is irrigated

Only 9.8 percent of land in Uzbekistan is irrigated

The total land area of the Republic of Uzbekistan is 44 million 892.3 thousand hectares. Of this, 4 million 392.8 thousand hectares are irrigated lands.

This means that only 9.8 percent of the country's total land area is irrigated land. Considering that the population has exceeded 39 million people, there is an average of slightly more than 11 hundredths of a hectare (sotix) of irrigated land per person.

These figures show how important the issue of rational and efficient use of land resources is for Uzbekistan. In particular, the limited share of irrigated lands requires their protection, preservation of fertility, and targeted use.

In order to regulate land relations and ensure the targeted and efficient use of land, the Land Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted. In addition, a number of decrees and resolutions regulating the sector are also in force.

According to Article 8 of the Land Code, the land fund of the republic is divided into 8 categories based on the purpose of use and legal status.

These are agricultural land, land of settlements, land intended for industrial and transport purposes, land of historical and cultural significance, land intended for environmental protection, health improvement, and recreational purposes, water fund land, forest fund land, and state reserve land.

The procedure and purpose of using land in each category are specified separately. This is of great importance in preserving land, preventing illegal or non-targeted use, and increasing their economic efficiency.

In conditions where the population and economic needs are growing, land, especially irrigated areas, is gaining even greater importance as a strategic resource. Therefore, the efficient use of existing land areas, improving their reclamation state, and maintaining their fertility remain among the urgent tasks.