ILRF (Irrigated Land Reclamation Fund, under the Ministry of Finance)

50% of the irrigated area is currently affected by salinization while 19% is threatened by soil erosion. Salinization reduces cotton yields by 20-30% on slightly salinized lands, 40-60% on moderately salinized lands, and 80% or more on heavily salinized lands. Agriculture faces declining productivity as high water tables, inappropriate irrigation and under-maintained drainage systems increase salinization and water logging and the fertility of arable land declines. This reduction in the resource base is estimated to cost about $1 billion annually in foregone economic output. 30,000 Ha are being lost to salinity build up each year.
Recognizing the severity of the land degradation scenario, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan issued a decree on October 30, 2007, No. УП-3932 "On efficient strengthening of land reclamation system”. This Decree established the National Irrigated Land Reclamation Fund, and its executing agency, the Fund Management Department, under the Ministry of Finance. The decree assigns management responsibility for the Fund to the Prime Minister.
The Fund is responsible for financing construction, reconstruction, repair and maintenance of interregional and inter-farm open collectors, vertical drainage, horizontal drainage, pump stations, and monitoring stations. The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MAWR) is responsible for repair and maintenance of on farm drainage systems. The Presidential Decree requires five year programs to be developed that identify financing priorities.