Ferghana Valley Water Resources Management
The problem:
The Ferghana Valley Water Resources Management Project – Phase II (FVWRMP-II) was designed to address the challenges of inefficient irrigation and drainage services in one of Uzbekistan's most agriculturally vital regions. Spanning over 103,622 hectares across Andijan, Ferghana, and Namangan regions, the project areas were plagued by outdated infrastructure, poor water management practices, and significant environmental and social concerns. These issues severely hindered agricultural productivity, leading to suboptimal water usage and increased soil salinity, which in turn threatened the livelihoods of farmers dependent on these resources. Additionally, the environmental and social impacts associated with the existing irrigation and drainage systems were not adequately addressed, leading to further degradation of the land and disruption of communities. The project needed to ensure that water distribution was efficient, equitable, and sustainable, while also safeguarding the environment and social well-being of the local populations. Therefore, the project aimed to improve the quality of irrigation and drainage service delivery to agricultural users, ensuring sustainable water management practices that would enhance agricultural productivity and resilience to climate change in the Ferghana Valley.
The solution:
InfoCapital Group (ICG) played a critical role in the successful implementation of FVWRMP-II by providing comprehensive monitoring and evaluation services, along with the update and implementation of environmental and social safeguard documents. ICG began by thoroughly reviewing existing project documentation, including reports from FVWRMP-I and the ongoing phase, to ensure continuity and consistency in project implementation. A program of regular data collection and surveys was developed in collaboration with the project stakeholders, designed to obtain representative data and provide independent verification of project activities. These surveys covered various aspects of the project, including the progress of physical interventions, financial management, and the effectiveness of completed works, such as canal lining, pump station modernization, and flood protection measures. Additionally, ICG was responsible for monitoring the environmental and social impacts of the project, ensuring compliance with the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and other relevant safeguards. This included on-the-job training for local staff to build capacity in survey and evaluation techniques, thereby ensuring the sustainability of project outcomes. ICG’s efforts culminated in the successful monitoring of the project's impact on physical, agricultural, social, environmental, and financial aspects, ensuring that the project met its objectives while safeguarding the environment and local communities.
Start date:
11/2020
Services:
Client:
The Center for Implementation of Water Sector projects under Ministry of Water Resources
