The report “Irrigation Equipment Production in Central Asia: Industrializing the Water Sector”, jointly prepared by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), highlights the urgent need for efficient irrigation systems in Central Asia. With water stress mounting across the region – especially in downstream countries like Turkmenistan – the report outlines strategies to industrialize the water sector and reduce reliance on imports by scaling local production of irrigation equipment.
Heavy Dependence on Irrigated Agriculture
In Turkmenistan, irrigated land accounts for nearly 100% of gross agricultural output, making the country almost entirely dependent on irrigation. It holds 17.8% of Central Asia’s total irrigated area, ranking third in the region after Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Most of this land lies within the water-stressed Aral Sea basin.
Irrigation Practices, Future Demand, and Investment Needs
Surface irrigation remains the dominant method in Turkmenistan, covering over 1.3 million hectares in 2024 (72.2%) and projected to expand to 1.6 million hectares by 2040. While still limited in scale, the use of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems is expected to increase significantly, with sprinkler coverage growing from 50,000 to 90,000 hectares and drip systems from 15,200 to 100,000 hectares by 2040.
To support this expansion, Turkmenistan is projected to require substantial investment in irrigation equipment. While current annual demand is estimated at $20 million, future needs will far exceed this level – $903 million by 2040. This includes the procurement of surface, sprinkler, and drip irrigation systems to meet growing agricultural demands and improve water efficiency. While local production has begun by companies such as Turkmen Senagat, which manufactures high-tech drip irrigation systems, the country remains heavily dependent on imports.
Structural Challenges and Strategic Needs
Turkmenistan, like other Central Asian nations, suffers from low water-use efficiency, due to outdated irrigation systems and significant water losses during distribution. As a downstream country, it is especially vulnerable to upstream water management practices, further compounding its water stress.
Despite initial efforts, irrigation infrastructure remains outdated, lacking modern distribution, control, and automation systems. The report underscores the critical need for investment in water-saving technologies, expansion of local manufacturing, and adoption of drip irrigation systems to enhance agricultural resilience and reduce dependence on water-intensive methods.
In summary, with irrigated agriculture forming the backbone of its economy, Turkmenistan must accelerate efforts to modernize irrigation, invest in advanced technologies, and build domestic manufacturing capacity. Doing so will not only address growing water scarcity but also support long-term agricultural sustainability in one of Central Asia’s most water-vulnerable countries.
