World Bank Launches $75 Million Irrigation Overhaul in Tajikistan

A $75 million grant from the International Development Association will modernize Tajikistan’s crumbling irrigation networks, targeting 100,000 hectares of farmland. The SWIM-2 project aims to boost water conveyance efficiency from 60% to 80%, directly impacting the livelihoods of nearly 470,000 rural residents and farmers across the nation’s river basins.

Editorial·July 2, 2026·reads: 640

The project centers on rehabilitating 20 aging pumping stations and critical infrastructure, including the Dangara diversion tunnel and the Beshkent hydrotechnical facility. By reducing water loss, the initiative expects to save 65,000 megawatt-hours of energy annually and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 29,000 tonnes. These upgrades are designed to stabilize food security for 200,000 people and create over 8,000 new jobs within the agricultural sector.

Beyond physical repairs, the program mandates a digital transition for national water management and the strengthening of local Water User Associations. Gael Raballand, World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan, noted that these systemic reforms are essential to unlocking the country's agricultural potential. The project has attracted significant interest from international partners, with the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Islamic Development Bank each pledging $50 million, potentially pushing the total investment to $175 million.

World Bank Launches $75 Million Irrigation Overhaul in Tajikistan

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