This Fisheries Technical Paper is a companion to the Report of the FAO Expert Consultation on the Use of Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Fish Production in Arid Countries of Asia (FAO Fisheries Report No. 679). The consultation was held at Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 25 to 29 September 2001. The document brings together twelve papers that review the present use of irrigation systems for fisheries in the countries of the arid belt of Asia, from Turkey to China. The individual papers deal with the following countries and areas: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (China), India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan. While some countries in the arid belt are well advanced in the field of fish production from waterbodies of irrigation systems, others are experiencing major difficulties arising from recent changes in their political and economic systems, particularly Mongolia and the countries of Central Asia. Such countries require major assistance. The document includes a summary of recommendations and proposals for further action, as formulated by the expert consultation. Contents Chapter 1: Fish Stocks and Fisheries in Irrigation Systems in Arid Asia by T Petr; Chapter 2: The Use of Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Fish Production in Pakistan by Nasim Akhtar; Chapter 3: The Use of Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Fish Production in Turkey by R Celebi; Chapter 4: The Use of Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Fish Production in India by by B P Das; Chapter 5: Irrigation in India by P V Dehadrai; Chapter 6: The Use of Irrigation Systems for Fish Production in Kyrgyzstan by D Djancharov; Chapter 6: The Impact of Drought on Agriculture and Fisheries in Iran by M Foghi; Chapter 7: Irrigation and Fish Production in Mongolia by Dashdorj Ganbaatar; Chapter 8: Fisheries Development in Xinjiang, China by Guo Yan; The Use of Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Production of Agriculture and Fish Products in the Republic of Kazakhstan by Khismet Ismukhanov and Valiakhmet Mukhamedzhanov; Chapter 8: The Use of Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Fish Production: Uzbekistan by Bakhtiyar Kamilov; Chapter 9: Uzbekistan Irrigation Systems and their Management Potential for Fisheries in Regional Context by P Umarov.