Modernization of the Suenli irrigation scheme in the Republic of Karakalpakstan

The modernization of the Suenli Irrigation Scheme in the Republic of Karakalpakstan addresses the complex challenges of water scarcity, land degradation, and climate change in one of Central Asia’s most vulnerable regions. In a context where agricultural production depends heavily on irrigation, the declining quality of soils due to salinization and inefficient water management has jeopardized both food security and environmental sustainability. The Suenli Canal plays a crucial role not only in supporting agricultural livelihoods but also in maintaining downstream ecosystems, including the wetlands of the Amu Darya delta and the Sudochie Lake—a protected area since 2021 and candidate for Ramsar designation. The project thus represents an essential step toward balancing agricultural productivity with the long-term preservation of fragile ecosystems.

Local authorities have initiated efforts to rehabilitate the Suenli Canal, focusing primarily on technical improvements to its main conveyance and regulation infrastructure. However, such an approach, though valuable, remains insufficient to achieve lasting structural change. The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have therefore emphasized the need for a holistic and territorial approach that extends beyond the main canal, encompassing the entire irrigation system—from primary to tertiary networks and down to the farm level. This integrated vision seeks to enhance irrigation efficiency, reduce water losses, and support the sustainable management of land and water resources across the basin.

The project’s overarching objective is to improve the quality and reliability of irrigation service delivery to agricultural users, thereby enhancing water security, crop productivity, and the overall resilience of the agricultural sector to climate change. It includes extensive studies on long-term water availability and quality, future water demands, the condition of irrigation infrastructure, and the socio-economic dimensions of agricultural water use. Particular attention is given to assessing users’ willingness and capacity to contribute to operation and maintenance, as well as evaluating the institutional setup for irrigation management and the interlinkages between irrigated agriculture, local economies, and food security.

Furthermore, the project incorporates detailed assessments of land salinity, soil conditions, and stakeholder capacities, while integrating gender-sensitive and environmental-social (E&S) analyses. Through a multi-criteria evaluation, feasible modernization scenarios will be identified and ranked based on technical, economic, social, and ecological criteria. By aligning irrigation modernization with climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive development, the project aims to foster a sustainable and resilient agricultural landscape in Karakalpakstan that benefits both people and ecosystems in the lower Aral Sea Basin.