Translated with AI
The debt of the Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation of Tajikistan to the national energy company Barki Tojik for consumed electricity has again exceeded 200 million somoni. This was reported by the head of the agency Zafarbek Davlatzoda during a press conference, explaining the reasons for the growth of debt obligations, despite the funds previously written off by the government.
In 2023, the country's government already allocated 467 million somoni from the budget to cover the Agency's debt, but within two years the structure again found itself among the largest defaulters.
According to Davlatzoda, the main reason for the accumulation of debt is the high energy intensity of water supply in agriculture, a significant part of which is carried out through pumping stations.
"Irrigation of lands in Tajikistan is carried out mainly with the help of pumping units. This requires significant amounts of electricity and, accordingly, costs. Payments from water users cover only a small part of our expenses," he noted.
Tariffs for water supply services remain low: on average, a cubic meter of water costs consumers 10-20 dirams. At the same time, according to the rates approved by the Antimonopoly Service, the Agency receives only 5 dirams per cubic meter – two and a half times less than the cost of the service.
In the first six months of 2025, the Agency supplied consumers with 1.9 billion cubic meters of water worth 92.5 million somoni, but actually collected only 27.9 million – less than 30% of the cost. At the same time, during the same period, 451.7 million kWh of electricity was consumed worth 58.1 million somoni, of which only 15 million was paid.
In addition, by decision of the Government of Tajikistan, electricity tariffs for the Agency's production base were increased from April 2025. In summer, the price per kWh is 12.27 dirams (instead of 9.2), and in winter – 35.36 dirams (against the previous 26.51). This also puts pressure on the financial stability of the agency.
The inability to collect payments from end consumers aggravates the situation. According to the Agency, the total debt of water users for previous years is 353.1 million somoni. Despite filing lawsuits for 45.5 million somoni, only 7.2 million have actually been collected.
The agency calls for strengthening measures to collect debts and developing mechanisms to subsidize energy-intensive areas of the irrigation system.
