Methodology for Calculating Payments for Irrigation Water Service in Uzbekistan’s Irrigation Agriculture

The methodology proposed in this research builds on existing economic approaches tailored to the specific conditions of irrigated agriculture in Uzbekistan. A key aspect of the methodology is the recommendation to develop a unified water tariff for consumers served by water management organizations. Payments for irrigation water supply services are then determined based on these tariffs. The calculation of these payments incorporates factors such as soil quality scores, the normative profitability of agricultural products, the location of the water consumer relative to the water intake point, the degree of water mineralization, approved hydromodule zoning, and crop-specific irrigation standards for each district and region. The methodology also introduces distinct payment models for agricultural producers and farms, accounting for the water supply method – whether through gravity irrigation or pumping systems. These scientific approaches distinguish the proposed methodology from others, offering a more nuanced and regionally adapted framework for calculating irrigation water service payments.