The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is facilitating the introduction of upland rice in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, which will reduce water consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional rice cultivation. On May 27, 2025, with UNDP assistance, the first seed samples of 15 varieties of upland rice were provided to the Scientific-Production Association of Grain and Rice of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, UNDP Uzbekistan reported.
The growing shortage of irrigation water in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River necessitates a revision of existing agricultural practices. There is a need to introduce crops that are less demanding in terms of moisture conditions, while possessing high food and economic value for the rural population of Karakalpakstan. One such crop, considering the high food and culinary significance of rice for Karakalpakstan, is upland rice. This crop requires significantly less irrigation water compared to traditional rice cultivation.
For comparison, traditional rice cultivation consumes 25-30 thousand cubic meters of water per hectare, making it one of the main consumers of irrigation water in the region. Moreover, traditional rice cultivation accounts for the largest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions among all agricultural crops worldwide, particularly methane, which is released when irrigation water is discharged from flooded rice fields. Thus, the transition to upland varieties allows preserving the cultural traditions of the region while significantly reducing the burden on water resources and reducing environmental impact.
“Farmers place great hopes on rice cultivation. The introduction of upland rice will allow for the expansion of cultivated areas under this crop again, which will contribute to increasing the income of rural families and efficient use of water resources, as well as reducing methane emissions,” says Zhumabay Nurmanov, a farmer from the project’s pilot district.
Within the framework of the UNDP project “Enhancing the resilience of local populations and promoting green, inclusive development of the most vulnerable communities in the Aral Sea region,” funded by the Government of the Russian Federation, a round table was organized with the Agrarian Research Center “Donskoy” — a specialized Russian scientific institution specializing in breeding and developing technologies for upland rice implementation.
Following the meeting, an Agreement was signed with UNDP support for assistance from scientists of the ARC “Donskoy” to the Karakalpak Scientific-Production Association of Grain and Rice in implementing upland rice as an alternative to traditional rice cultivation. This initiative aims to help farmers in the Aral Sea region adapt to extreme weather conditions and efficiently use dwindling water resources. Over the past 70 years, rice has become an integral part and the most important element of local cuisine. Given the high food and culinary significance of rice for Karakalpakstan, sustainable rice production is of utmost importance for the region.
