Monitoring of the Gissar Valley’s irrigated lands in the Republic of Tajikistan based on the use of GIS technologies

Abstract

Land use in the Republic of Tajikistan is characterized by very difficult conditions for conducting useful economic activities. The crop industry is experiencing a shortage of suitable arable irrigated land (total arable land, according to various estimates, makes up about 5% of the total area of the country), which is clearly expressed in the decline in gross agricultural production. Scientists and practitioners have noted negative trends, indicating a decrease in specific indicators of per capita provision of agricultural land. All this necessitates the development of mechanisms and methods for a qualitative study of the current state of land use and the development of recommendations to prevent its further degradation. The article sets forth material that relates to the current state and prospects of obtaining and processing updated data on irrigated lands of the Republic of Tajikistan using modern information and communication technologies and GIS. It is shown which factors are constraining and which factors are stimulating in the republic. The practical significance lies in the fact that the results of the study can be useful in the study of the condition and use of irrigated lands, as well as in the effective management of these lands.