Water Harvesting For Climate Resilience In Uzbekistan’S Agriculture: Opportunities, Barriers, And Policy Recommendations

Agriculture in Uzbekistan depends heavily on irrigation, making it particularly vulnerable to water shortagesin an already arid climate. These pressures are intensifying as climate change leads to higher temperatures and moreunpredictable rainfall, further complicating water management for farmers. In this context, the present study examineswater-harvesting methods as practical and decentralized solutions to enhance resilience in the agricultural sector. Drawingon existing research and reports, it explores techniques such as rainwater harvesting, micro-catchments, terracing, smallreservoirs, and managed aquifer recharge. The findings indicate that these approaches can improve water availability,support crop production, and contribute to the restoration of degraded land. At the same time, their adoption remains limiteddue to high initial investment costs, insufficient institutional support, and gaps in technical knowledge—challenges thatare particularly significant for smallholder farmers. The study emphasizes the need for stronger policy support, improvedaccess to finance, and more effective knowledge-sharing systems. Overall, water harvesting represents a practical andscalable solution to enhance water security and facilitate agricultural adaptation to climate change in Uzbekistan.