Role of information systems in achieving Sustainable Development Goals for water conservation in rural Uzbekistan

This study aims to assess the role and potential of information systems in achieving sustainable development goals, especially water resource conservation, in rural Uzbekistan. The present study, using a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) approach and focusing on a case study in a rural area, collected data through a questionnaire from ۳۲۰ farmers as well as semi-structured in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. The findings indicate a significant mental readiness and positive attitude in the local community towards the use of information technologies in water management, with more than ۸۶% of people believing that digital data can contribute to equity in water distribution. However, there is a notable gap between this attitude and current behaviour; only about ۳۲% of farmers use mobile phones to obtain agricultural information. The main priority of farmers was stated to be access to clear and accurate information about water rotation schedules. On the other hand, although willingness to participate in training (۷۴.۴%) and provide feedback (۶۸.۸%) was high, willingness to pay cash for such a system was reported to be significantly lower (around ۴۰%). The main barriers from the perspective of stakeholders, beyond technical issues, included concerns about local governance, compliance with traditional institutions, and infrastructure limitations. Consequently, the success of information systems in this context depends on community-based design, a focus on solving a tangible problem such as transparency of distribution, and smart integration with local mechanisms. This requires changing from purely technology-driven models to participatory and incremental models that are accompanied by institutional investment and support.

کلیدواژه ها:

Information systems ، Rural water management ، Sustainable development ، Uzbekistan