(Reprint; first edition in 2004) 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, ISBN 92-5-104832-0). 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.