An Empirical Assessment of the Interactive Impacts of Irrigation and Climate on Farm Productivity in Samarkand region, Uzbekistan

Increased irrigation significantly boosts farm productivity in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, counteracting the negative effects of climate change. A one-degree Celsius rise in average temperature between March and June could reduce wheat yields by up to 60%, while excessive rainfall during May-September could decrease cotton yields by 3%. However, when combined with efficient irrigation, both crops show improved productivity. The study used a Stochastic Frontier Approach (SFA) with panel data from 2013-2018, analyzing 2,135 wheat and 1,141 cotton farms in the region. These findings highlight the potential for climate-resilient agriculture through better water management.

Babakholov, S., Bobojonov, I., Hasanov, S., & Glauben, T. (2022). An Empirical Assessment of the Interactive Impacts of Irrigation and Climate on Farm Productivity in Samarkand region, Uzbekistan. Environmental Challenges, 7, 100502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100502