Modernization of the Suenli Irrigation Scheme in the Republic of Karakalpakstan
The problem:
The Suenli Canal, a critical infrastructure built in 1941, has been the lifeline for agricultural and residential water supply in the northern districts of the Amudarya River, including Hojaili, Tahiatash, Shumanai, Kanlikul, and Moynak. Over the decades, however, the canal’s infrastructure has severely deteriorated. The canal’s banks have weakened, water distribution facilities have become outdated, and control stations are in disrepair, leading to substantial water losses and inefficient distribution. The absence of modern automation in water management has exacerbated these issues, causing irregular water supply to over 171,000 hectares of land, which includes key crops such as cotton, wheat, and horticultural produce.
In addition to the structural degradation, the canal’s inefficiency has directly impacted agricultural productivity, threatening food security and the livelihoods of farmers in the region. The region is also facing increasing water demand due to population growth and climate change, which further strains the already limited water resources. The deterioration of survey roads and bridges along the canal has made regular maintenance and monitoring challenging, leading to further neglect of the infrastructure. The need for a comprehensive modernization of the Suenli Canal is critical to ensure sustainable water management, improve agricultural output, and secure the region's socio-economic stability.
The solution:
InfoCapital Group LLC (ICG) conducted a prefeasibility and feasibility study, along with comprehensive environmental and social documentation, for the modernization of the Suenli Irrigation Scheme. The project began with a thorough data collection and analysis of the current state of irrigated agriculture in Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan, focusing on the Suenli Canal’s infrastructure. This included a detailed climate vulnerability assessment and profiling of the Lower Aral Sea basin to understand environmental impacts and water availability.
ICG then proceeded to identify the future water demand after the project's implementation, conducting a water balance study to ensure the canal could meet both current and future needs. A detailed infrastructure analysis of the Suenli Irrigation Scheme was carried out, leading to the development of modernization plans for the canal, which included the reconstruction of 96.6 km of the canal, strengthening of its banks, modernization of water distribution facilities, and the introduction of an automatic control system to optimize water distribution. Additionally, ICG focused on the reconstruction of control stations, maintenance of road bridges, and repair of survey roads along the canal. The project also included laser leveling of 25,000 hectares of irrigated land to enhance water conservation.
Stakeholder engagement and capacity analysis were conducted to ensure the sustainability of the project, and a preliminary economic analysis was carried out to assess the project’s financial viability. Finally, an indicative program of prioritized investments was developed, providing a first draft of the project design, paving the way for the successful modernization of the Suenli Irrigation Scheme and securing the water supply for the region’s agricultural and domestic needs.
Start date:
09/2023
Services:
Client:
Société du Canal de Provence et d'aménagement de la région provençale, Rahmanov Partners LLC
