Description: The development objective of the Drainage, Irrigation, and Wetlands Improvement Project for Uzbekistan was to improve the livelihoods of poor rural households (marginalized farmers and women) in the Turtkul, Ellikkala, Beruni, and Khujakli districts of Karakalpakstan through increased income generating opportunities from sericulture and silk production by establishing and sustaining community-based silk micro-enterprises while addressing the environmental degradation of the areas caused by the decline of the Aral Sea. The project was rated satisfactory for progress towards development objectives and moderately satisfactory for implementation progress. Regional water management staff and close to 700 farmers have been trained, and training materials have been prepared. Compliance with the Bank safeguard policies was satisfactory, as was procurement and financial management. The reallocation was necessary to cover a deficit in the category 'South Karakalpakstan Collector Drain' in the amount of US$218,000, which was created due to exchange rate (UZS/USD) fluctuations. The required amount wwasre-allocated from the category 'Unallocated.'
Sector: Water
Beneficiaries: Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MAWR)