COUNCIL OF MINISTERS REPUBLIC OF KARAKALPAKSTAN REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN THE STUDY ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN KARAKALPAKSTAN IN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN FINAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2011 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY ORIENTAL CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. SANYU CONSULTANTS INC. NTC INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD. RDD JR 11-004 COUNCIL OF MINISTERS REPUBLIC OF KARAKALPAKSTAN REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN THE STUDY ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN KARAKALPAKSTAN IN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN FINAL REPORT FEBRUARY 2011 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY ORIENTAL CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. SANYU CONSULTANTS INC. NTC INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD. Exchange Rate (January 2011) US$ 1.00 = Sum 1,657 Sum 1.00 = US$ 0.05 US$ 1.00 = Yen 82.86 PREFACE In Response to a request from the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan, the Government of Japan decided to conduct a development study on Regional Development in Karakalpakstan in the Republic of Uzbekistan and entrusted the study to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA selected and dispatched a study team headed by Mr. Keiji MATSUMOTO of Oriental Consultants Co., Ltd. between March 2008 and December 2010. The study team was composed of members from Oriental Consultants Co., Ltd., Sanyu Consultants Inc. and NTC International Co., Ltd. The team held discussions with the officials concerned of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan, and conducted field surveys in the study area. Upon returning to Japan, the team conducted further studies and prepared this final report. I hope that this report will contribute to the promotion of the project and to the enhancement of friendly relationship between our tow countries. Finally, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the officials concerned of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan for their close cooperation extended to the team. February 2011 Izumi TAKASHIMA Deputy Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Agency February 2011 Mr. Izumi TAKASHIMA Deputy Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Agency Transmittal Letter We are glad to submit the Final Report of the Study on the Regional Development in Karakalpakstan in the Republic of Uzbekistan. This report contains the Master Plan and Action Plan on Regional Development in Karakalpakstan mainly focusing on the agricultural sector, of which reflects the suggestions and recommendations made by Japan International Agency (JICA) during the conduct of the Study, as well as the discussions and comments regarding the Draft Final Report made by the concerned institutions of Republic of Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan. The Study Area, consisting of 11 districts among the 14 districts in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, is located in the Northwestern end of Uzbekistan, and embraces the vast dry lands in the lowest reaches of the Amudarya Basin and also the Aral Sea. Under the severe climate of cold winter and hot summer, the productivity of crop, livestock and fishery in the Study Area are low. Reflecting such conditions, the level of livelihood in the area is also low and the area is considered to be one of the most depressed regions in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Moreover, Uzbekistan is still at its transitional period from planned economy in the Soviet era towards market oriented economy. Agricultural policies of the Government is also under the process of reformation/optimization from state managed crops of cotton and wheat in shirkats, to market oriented food crop production in private farms. Under these circumstances, the Study formulated a plan for regional development, aiming to activate the regional economy and to improve the livelihood of residents through the development of market oriented agriculture and effective use of tamarka, with due considerations to the environment. The Action Plan for Regional development indicates the activities required to fulfill its goal, for the sub-sectors of crop, livestock, fisheries and marketing and processing. Together with this, concerned stakeholders and procedures for the implementation of the activities are also indicated. It is expected that these outputs of the Study will be effectively applied and contribute to the regional development. Finally, taking this opportunity, we would like to sincerely express our gratitude to the support and collaboration provided by JICA, to the relevant officials of the Governments of Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan, especially the Council of Ministries of Karakalpakstan, and to all involved persons who supported our works through the implementation of the Study. Sincerely yours, Keiji MATSUMOTO Team Leader Study on the Regional Development in Karakalpakstan in the Republic of Uzbekistan Location Map of the Study Area Location Map of Pilot Projects The Study Area (March 2008 to December 2010) The Amudarya Sandstorm in Muynak Cotton Growing Tomato harvesting Pure Karakal Sheep Irrigation Canal in Summer Chimbay Hakimiyat in Winter Tahiatash Barrage (from GIS data) Photo - 1 Field Surveys and Discussions In Karakalpakstan Discussion on Inception Report Kickoff Workshop with Government Officials District Workshops with Fermers District Workshops with Dehkan Workshop with WUA Field Surveys on Crop Production Wrap-up Seminar on Dec. 7, 2011 Field Surveys on Livestock Photo - 2 Photograph of the Pilot Project (1/6) Development of On-farm Technical Manual Editorial Meeting Field Survey Training Seminar on the Technical Manual in December 2009 Published On-farm Technical Manual Photo - 3 Photograph of the Pilot Project (2/6) Trial for Development of Melons and Potential Crops Cultivation Field Preparation, April 2009 Field Preparation, April 2010 Raising Seedlings, May 2009 Nursery in Vinyl Tunnel, April 2010 Melon growing, July 2009 Melon growing at Demo. Field, May 2010 Field Day with Farmers on May 30, 2009 Field Day with Farmers on August 14, 2010 Photo - 4 Photograph of the Pilot Project (3/6) Promotion of Women’s Vegetable Production in Tamarka In Chimbay 2009 In Kanlikul 2010 Kick-off Workshop, April 7, 2009 Study Tour to Bernie, March 2010 Distribution of Inputs, April 2009 Demonstration of Seeding, April 2010 First Interchange Meeting, June 2009 Interchange Meeting, August 2010 Evaluation Workshop on October 7, 2009 Evaluation Workshop on September 16, 2010 Photo - 5 Photograph of the Pilot Project (4/6) Dairy Promotion Package Kick-off Workshop, January 2009 Sorghum Cultivation, July 2009 Silage Seminar, October 2009 Installation of Milk Processing Equipments Opening Ceremony on August 21, 2010 Technical Seminar, September 2010 Technical Seminar, September 2010 Pasteurized Milk Products, September 2010 Photo - 6 Photograph of the Pilot Project (5/6) Improving of Water Management in Internal Canal System and Water Use in the Field Kick-off Workshop, April 2009 Canal maintenance by WUA, March 2009 Improvement of Irrigation System at Field Level by local sub-contractor Land Leveling by Local Sub-contractor Soil Sampling in the demonstration fields Technical Seminars for WUA Enhancement Canal maintenance by excavator of WUA Photo - 7 Photograph of the Pilot Project (6/6) Establishment of Model Agro-Firm Preparatory Workshop, September 2008 Kick-off Workshop, April 2009 Installation of Vegetable/Fruits Processing Machines and Rehabilitation of Work Building Study Tour to Fergana, June 2010 Processing Fruits, June 2010 Charcoal vinegar production, April 2010 Distribution of natural enemy for pest control Photo - 8 1 INTRODUCTION The Government of Karakalpakstan, through the Government of Uzbekistan, requested the Government of Japan for a Development Study targeting the improvement of livelihood of the population in the region. In response, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (hereinafter referred to as “JICA”) dispatched a Preparatory Study Team and signed the Scope of Works (S/W) of the Study on Regional Development in Karakalpakstan in the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereafter referred to as “the Study”) on April 27, 2007. Based on the S/W, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (hereinafter referred to as “JICA”) dispatched a Study Team from March 2008 to December 2010. The objective of the Study is to formulate a Master Plan on regional development in Karakalpakstan. The Master Plan shall; 1) focus mainly on agriculture sector in Karakalpakstan, 2) be utilized in formulation of the “Program on Social and Economic Development of Republic of Karakalpakstan”, 3) target the fermer and dehkan based on market economy, and 4) conduct several verification studies selected from the component of Draft Action Plan in accordance with criteria agreed in the course of the Study. Also, considering that the Master Plan will be implemented by the Government of Karakalpakstan, the central government controlled/managed crops, such as cotton and wheat, and primary irrigation and drainage system are excluded. 2 UZBEKISTAN AND KARAKALPAKSTAN 2.1 General The Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter referred to as “Uzbekistan”) is located in the center of Central Asia, with Kazakhstan in the north and west, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan in the south, and Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in the east. The area of Uzbekistan is 447,400 km2, of which 425,400 km2 is land surface. Uzbekistan is divided into; 12 provinces, one autonomous republic (Karakalpakstan), and the city of Tashkent, which has the status of province. The Republic of Karakalpakstan (hereinafter referred to as “Karakalpakstan”) is located in the northwestern part of Uzbekistan with an area of approximately 166,600