THE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF WASTELANDS AND THE STRENGTHENING OF COTTON DOMINANCE ON THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN ANDIZHAN REGION DURING THE SOVIET GOVERNMENT

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of wasteland reclamation and the consolidation of cotton monoculture on the irrigation system in the Andizhan region during the Soviet era. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the Soviet government intensified its policy of agricultural specialization, designating Uzbekistan as the primary hub of cotton cultivation. Within this framework, Andizhan became a key site for large-scale land development projects, including the transformation of wastelands into arable fields and the expansion of irrigated territories. Drawing on historical sources and archival materials, the study analyzes how the construction of canals, reservoirs, and pumping stations both facilitated cotton production and exposed critical vulnerabilities in the irrigation network. The research further examines the long-term socio-economic and ecological consequences of these interventions, particularly the overexploitation of water resources and the disruption of traditional agricultural practices. By situating Andizhan’s experience within broader Soviet agrarian policy, the article contributes to the historiography of Central Asia, offering insights into the intersection of state planning, regional development, and environmental change.