Can a change in cropping patterns produce water savings and social gains: A case study from the Fergana Valley, Central Asia

Abstract

Abstract:The study examines possible water savings by replacing alfalfa with winter wheat in the Fergana Valley, located upstream of the Syrdarya River in Central Asia. Agricultural reforms since the 1990s have promoted this change in cropping patterns in the Central Asian states to enhance food security and social benefits. The water use of alfalfa, winter wheat/fallow, and winter wheat/green gram (double cropping) systems is compared for high-deficit, low-deficit, and full irrigation scenarios using hydrological modeling with the HYDRUS-1D software package. Modeling results indicate that replacing alfalfa with winter wheat in the Fergana Valley released significant water resources, mainly by reducing productive crop transpiration when abandoning alfalfa in favor of alternative cropping systems. However, the winter wheat/fallow cropping system caused high evaporation losses from fallow land after harvesting of winter wheat. Double cropping (i.e., the cultivation of green gram as a short duration summer crop after winter wheat harvesting) reduced evaporation losses, enhanced crop output and hence food security, while generating water savings that make more water available for other productive uses. Beyond water savings, this paper also discusses the economic and social gains that double cropping produces for the public within a broader developmental context.

Import and Export of Beef Products in Tajikistan and Its Impact on the Domestic Market

“…Beef is a popular meat in Tajikistan, but consumption levels are relatively low compared to other countries. According to the World Bank, per capita beef consumption in Tajikistan was around 5.5 kilograms in 2018, which is lower than the average for the Central Asia region (Karimov et al, 2018). Beef consumption is highest in urban areas, where incomes are generally higher and access to markets and supermarkets is easier.…”

“…Tajikistan is a net importer of beef products, with a significant portion of its domestic demand met through imports. According to the World Trade Organization, Tajikistan imported around 26,000 metric tons of beef in 2020, mainly from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Brazil (Karimov et al, 2018). The volume of beef imports has increased in recent years due to growing demand from the foodservice and retail sectors.…”

Challenges Threatening Agricultural Sustainability in Central Asia: Status and Prospect

“…Rotation of wheat with other crops can generate additional income and leave plant residue keeping soil moisture and inhibiting weed growth. Conservation agriculture systems containing permanent beds with crop residue retention and diversified crop rotation have turned out to be truly profitable in Central Asia [48,49], since they help to reduce soil salinity [50] and increase land productivity [49] and water efficiency [51].…”