The publication of this Handbook was supported by the Russian Federation

Table 6.3.1. Cost effectiveness of laser land levelling (per 1 ha) [10].
Wheat
Cotton
Traditional 
technique
Laser 
levelling.
Difference 
Traditional 
technique
Laser 
levelling.
Difference 
amount
%
amount
%
Expenditures, thousands UZS (so'm)
Machinery
453,1
508,9
55,8
12,3
595,2
649,7
54,5
9,2
Work force
63,9
49,1
-14,8
-23,2
113,2
100,4
-12,8
-11,3
Irrigation
72,8
53,1
-19,7
-27,1
90,8
71,9
-18,9
-20,8
Other
500,5
520,2
19,7
3,9
572,1
621,1
49
8,6
Total:
1090,3
1131,3
41
37
1371,3
1443,1
71,8
5,2
Water discharge, m
3
/ha
5,725
4,011
-1714
-30
10000
8000
-2000
-20
Yield, centner/ha
40,0
44,0
4
10
25
27,5
2,5
10
Income, thousands UZS
1260
1,386
126
10
1508,5
1659,3
150,8
10
Profit, thousands UZS
169,7
254,7
85
50,1
137,2
216,2
79
57,6
Rate of  return, %
15,5
22,5
7
10
15
5
In  wheat  and  cotton  fields,  the  laser  land  levelling  required  9.2-12.3%  more  expenditure  on 
equipment, but allowed for 11-23% cheaper labour, 20-30% less water for irrigation and 10% 
higher yields. In total, laser land levelling brought additional profits of  85 and 79 thousand UZS/
ha under winter wheat and cotton, respectively. This was explained in part by yield increases and 
also by lowering the total cost of  soil management [11].
Financial returns from laser levelling equipment. The laser levelling equipment purchased in 
Tashkent (from a local representative of  Leica Geosystems) had a total cost of  11501 USD or 18634 
UZS (according to the 2010 exchange rate) plus 0.2% customs fee. The return of  investment with 
additional profits can depend on the sources of  financial loans and individual farm sizes (Table 
6.3.2).