Uzbekistan will develop a pilot project to implement artificial rainfall technology. This is expected to increase precipitation by 10-20%. Furthermore, the country plans to convert drainage systems to a closed system and implement water-saving technologies on hundreds of thousands of hectares. Â
A pilot project to introduce artificial rainfall technology will be developed in Uzbekistan. The project will draw on the experience of France, China, and Saudi Arabia. This is envisaged by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s decree on the state program for 2026.
It is predicted that when the project is launched, precipitation levels may increase by 10-20% compared to the natural background.
Development will begin on March 1, with the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, the Academy of Sciences, and the Tashkent Regional Khokimiyat (government administration) assigned as responsible parties.
In 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that an artificial rainfall device had been installed in the Kanimekh district of the Navoi region. The project was implemented in collaboration with the Kazakhstani company International Centre of Climate Change Technologies.
In the area of ​​rational water use, it is planned to convert 10,000 km of open drainage systems to closed systems within three years. During the first stage, which begins on March 1, 3,000 km of drainage and collector networks in the Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Bukhara, and Khorezm regions will be converted to closed systems.
In addition, a trial conversion of some irrigation canals to pressure pipelines is planned. By the end of 2026, at least 54.1 km of networks in the Kashkadarya region will be converted to a fully closed system using fiberglass pipes.
Water-saving technologies are planned to be implemented on 504,000 hectares of land, resulting in water savings of 5 billion cubic meters. An additional 500 million cubic meters of water are projected to be saved annually by concrete-lining 1,300 kilometers of canals, irrigation networks, and other irrigation facilities.
Specifically, drip irrigation will be implemented on 75,400 hectares, sprinkler irrigation on 97,000 hectares, and discrete irrigation on 26,200 hectares. Laser land leveling will be used on 203,000 hectares to ensure even water distribution.
As previously reported , water-saving technologies are planned for 80% of all irrigated land in Uzbekistan by 2028. This will save up to 3.5 billion cubic meters of water per year.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Alisher Shukurov previously stated that projects in agriculture and water management are planned to attract $744 million in funds from international financial institutions by the end of 2026.
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