Amu Bukhara Irrigation System (ABIS) Rehabilitation Project - Final Socio-Economic Assessment
The problem:
The Amu Bukhara Irrigation System (ABIS) in Uzbekistan's Bukhara and Navoi Provinces has long been a cornerstone of the region’s agricultural productivity, supporting the livelihoods of countless communities. However, over time, the system has faced significant challenges that threaten its sustainability and reliability. Aging infrastructure, including deteriorating pump stations and inefficient canal systems, has led to decreased water conveyance efficiency and unreliable water supply, directly impacting agricultural output and, consequently, the economic and social welfare of the dependent communities. The lack of modernization has also made the ABIS increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with extreme weather patterns exacerbating water scarcity and further straining the system. The institutional capacity of the Basin Irrigation System Administration (BISA) and other relevant bodies has been insufficient to address these challenges effectively. The deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient capacity not only hinder agricultural productivity but also pose a risk to the long-term viability of the region’s water resources management, ultimately threatening the economic stability and social well-being of the communities that rely on ABIS for their livelihoods. Addressing these issues was crucial to ensure a sustainable, reliable water supply and to secure the economic future of the region’s population.
The solution:
InfoCapital Group LLC (ICG) was engaged to conduct the Final Socio-Economic Assessment for the "Loan No: 3025/3026-UZB: Amu Bukhara Irrigation System Rehabilitation Project," funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). ICG undertook a comprehensive approach to evaluate the social and economic impacts of the project on the communities dependent on ABIS. The assessment involved an extensive review of project documents, including the Design and Monitoring Framework (DMF), to identify data requirements and define a clear methodology for data collection and analysis. ICG conducted a detailed socioeconomic profiling of the project-affected communities, focusing on household sizes, income levels, occupations, and social service infrastructure. A robust field survey was executed, encompassing 384 household surveys and 74 farm surveys, along with 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) to gather sex-disaggregated social and agro-economic data. The surveys were designed to capture both the baseline and end-of-project situations, allowing for a comparative analysis to measure the project's impact. In addition to collecting primary data, ICG also utilized secondary sources, including government statistical records and documents from the Water Delivery Service (WDS), to enrich the assessment. The data collected were processed and analyzed using advanced statistical tools, enabling ICG to present a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s outcomes. This included identifying the social and economic changes brought about by the project, such as improved water supply reliability, increased agricultural productivity, and enhanced social welfare. Through this meticulous assessment, ICG provided critical insights that would guide future interventions and ensure the sustainability of the ABIS and the well-being of the communities it serves.
Start date:
05/2023
Services:
Client:
ADB
