Foreign experience in improving regional specialization under limited water resources and its application in Uzbekistan

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of the experience of leading foreign countries (Israel, Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, China, the United States) and Kazakhstan in shaping regional specialization under conditions of limited water resources. The findings show that Israel (USD 4.85/m³) and the Netherlands (USD 4.20/m³) are world leaders in agricultural water productivity, a level 8-9 times higher than Uzbekistan's current indicator (USD 0.55/m³). The article analyzes each country's water-saving specialization strategy, technological solutions (desalination, drip irrigation, water reuse), and institutional reforms, and identifies opportunities for their application in Uzbekistan. The findings are of practical relevance to government bodies responsible for water resource management and agricultural policy.