Amu Bukhara Irrigation System (ABIS) Rehabilitation Project - Midterm Socio-Economic Survey
The problem:
The Amu-Bukhara Irrigation System (ABIS) is a critical water supply system that serves over 315,000 hectares of irrigated land, supporting cities, settlements, and businesses in the Bukhara and Navoi regions. The population within the command area exceeds 2 million people, with 62% residing in rural areas who heavily rely on irrigated agriculture. ABIS includes approximately 3,924 farms organized into 144 Water Consumers Associations (WCAs). Despite its significance, the ABIS faced challenges due to outdated infrastructure, particularly its five main pump stations: Amu Bukhara 1, Amu Bukhara 2, Kuyu-Mazar, Kizil-Tepa, and Kizil-Tepa 1. These issues led to inefficient water usage, high operational and maintenance (O&M) costs, and excessive energy consumption. The inefficiencies negatively impacted agricultural productivity and the socio-economic conditions of the local communities, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as low-income families, women, and children. There was a critical need to modernize the ABIS infrastructure to enhance water and energy efficiency and ensure equitable water distribution.
The solution:
InfoCapital Group LLC (ICG) conducted a comprehensive midterm socio-economic survey to assess the impact of the ABIS Rehabilitation Project. The survey was conducted in Bukhara, Jondor, and Alat districts of the Bukhara region, and in the Kyzyltepa district of the Navoi region. In 2020, ICG surveyed 383 households across 8 mahallas, with 283 households from 6 mahallas in Bukhara region and 100 households from 2 mahallas in Navoi region. The survey involved both quantitative and qualitative methods, including 24 interviews and 8 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), with 6 interviews and 2 FGDs conducted in each district. The objectives were to evaluate key social issues and potential risks related to the project, assess gender-related challenges, and analyze access to irrigation water among different target groups, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations. ICG also reviewed the institutional setup and the role of organizations, including women’s NGOs, in water resource management. The data collected included socio-economic profiles, agricultural practices, water use patterns, and gender dynamics. This information was essential for guiding the project’s efforts to ensure the modernization of ABIS was inclusive, minimized negative impacts, and improved the overall efficiency of water and energy use in the region.
Start date:
03/2020
Services:
Client:
ADB
