As Uzbek farmer Nazira Shamuratova found out, thanks to the World Bank’s Drainage, Irrigation and Wetlands Improvement project, “it is never too late to learn”. The goal of this project was to help restore the drainage and irrigation infrastructure in Uzbekistan and train Uzbek farmers in efficient land cultivation. Shamuratova, the head of “Kamronbek-Farangiz” farm in Beruni district of Karakalpakstan, shared her success story of cotton cultivation using the modern agro-techniques offered by the Bank.

Several years ago, Shamuratova – at one time a village school teacher – decided to rent a plot of land and try her hand as a private farmer in order to augment her modest teacher’s salary. Shamuratova had no professional skills in the cultivation of agricultural crops and was learning by doing. In developing her new business, she experienced serious obstacles. For example, the old Soviet irrigation and drainage systems did not function properly, severely limiting her access to water – the most vital component in growing cotton.

“The land was then not an additional source of income, but a headache,” said Shamuratova. “We had to supply the government with a portion of our crops, but it was almost impossible to meet our obligations. The soil fertility was decreasing drastically!”

It was at this dire point that Shamuratova’s farm was chosen from among many others as the Bank project’s demonstration plot to teach Uzbek farmers how to apply professional agro-techniques and cultivate crops, to develop business plans, and to use their land wisely.

“The next year, I replicated everything done at the demo field on my farm, and the result was amazing!” says Shamuratova. “The cotton yield almost doubled, and we sold all the harvested crops over and above the state ordered market price. With the profit obtained we were able to buy a tractor and became more independent from machine and tractor fleet services.”

The Bank’s advice on agro-technical methods helped improve land fertility in Uzbekistan and provided the possibility to have strong yields of secondary sowed cultures, such as mung bean, vegetables, and others, bringing an additional income to the private farms. The project also helped develop contractual terms for water delivery, which allowed private farmers to effectively take advantage of irrigation and drainage systems and feel legally protected.

“Now I believe in a bright future of my family,” said Shamuratova. “I learned to grow good crops, and my children will be working not in wasted and weak fields, but on rich and fertile land.”