Agriculture in Uzbekistan is almostentirely dependent on irrigation. However, despite reformsto institutional arrangements, much of Uzbekistan’sirrigation is reportedly caught in a vicious cycle ofinadequate operation and maintenance, low cost recovery, andagricultural productivity that is often moderate or low; inaddition, many farmers earn low incomes (World Bank,2013).Few incentives exist to save water because farmers donot see the direct cost of water provision.This study wasundertaken with the aim of contributing to better irrigationwater management in Central Asia, beginning in Uzbekistan.It identifies factors and conditions that positively affectthe performance of local irrigation water managementinstitutions. The analytical framework for this assessmentis formed by the eight design principles for the managementof common-pool resources developed by Ostrom (1990). Thesedesign principles are in essence factors that are associatedwith successful collective action in governing common-poolresources such as irrigation water, forests, and fishingareas. By determining why these principles are met in somecases and not in others, and what factors are behind thisvariation, the author can identify measures that promotethese factors/conditions in irrigation schemes. This studywas undertaken with the aim of contributing to betterirrigation water management in Central Asia, beginning inUzbekistan. It identifies factors and conditions thatpositively affect the performance of local irrigationwater–management institutions. The study also prepared anassociated diagnostic tool that will help design measuresand program interventions to strengthen these institutionsin ongoing or future irrigation operations. Lastly, the workintends to contribute to an exchange of good practices andknowledge sharing among relevant stakeholders across theCentral Asia region.
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