ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF IMPROVING IRRIGATED LAND MONITORING USING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

The effective management of irrigated lands is critical for sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in Uzbekistan, where agriculture consumes approximately 90% of total water resources. This study evaluates the economic efficiency of improving irrigated land monitoring through the integration of digital technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing (e.g., Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and NDVI indices), Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and drone-based data collection. The research focuses on Bukhara Region as a case study, a key agricultural area facing challenges such as soil salinization, water inefficiency, and land degradation. The methodology combines traditional field monitoring data with advanced digital tools to enable real-time assessment of soil moisture, salinity levels, crop health, and water productivity. Cost-benefit analysis was performed by comparing implementation costs of digital monitoring systems against tangible benefits, including reduced water losses, lower operational and maintenance expenses, improved crop yields, and enhanced land reclamation outcomes. Preliminary results indicate that the adoption of digital monitoring technologies can significantly increase water use efficiency (potentially saving hundreds of millions of cubic meters annually at the national scale) and boost agricultural productivity. In Bukhara Region, where over 85% of irrigated lands are affected by varying degrees of salinity, digital tools facilitate timely interventions, leading to higher yields (e.g., increases of 8–15% in cotton and grain) and substantial economic returns through reduced electricity costs for pumping and minimized land abandonment. The findings demonstrate a positive net present value and favorable internal rate of return for digital transformation investments. This research provides policy recommendations for scaling up digital monitoring systems across Uzbekistan, contributing to national goals of water conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable agricultural development.