On 19-20 May 2008, the UNDP Interim Strategy for Enhancement of Living Standards project in Karakalpakstan hosted representatives of Drainage, Irrigation and Wetlands Improvement Project financed by the World Bank.

The ELS guests visited three project districts – Karauzyak, Shumanay and Kegeily and got first hand introduction to Information and Resource Centres, Biopest control laboratories and food processing farmers’ enterprises established with the support of the European Union and UNDP in 2006.

One of the WB project aims is to increase the productivity of irrigated agriculture, employment and incomes in Karakalpakstan, where the ELS project is also active.

Its work goes to improve water quality of the Amu Darya River by safe disposal of the drainage effluent, and enhance quality of wetlands in the Amu Darya delta, where UNDP works in parallel for the preservation of the Tugai forest along the banks of the Amu Darya.

The WB project also seeks to improve water management, operation and maintenance of the irrigation and drainage systems. It involves the local population and authorities to make sure that agriculture needs are met today without compromising access to it by future generations.

A number of areas for cooperation between the two projects were revealed during the visit including joint work with communities and farmers to ensure better water management. Exchange of information material on agriculture and water use, piloting innovative ways for pest control and soil management, conducting hands-on training for improved farming techniques are just some of activities which could be jointly implemented.

More on the World Bank and its work in Uzbekistan at www.worldbank.org