Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Protection as well as administrations of Ahal and Dashoguz Regions took part in regular online meeting with experts of the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
Consultations held in video conference format are dedicated to the project of Integrated Management of Natural Resources in drought-prone and salinized agricultural production landscapes of Central Asia and Turkey, which is carried out with support of FAO and Global Ecological Fund (GEF).
Large-scale projects of total cost of more than 75 million US dollars, in financing of which the countries of the region participate, has started in the end of May 2018 and is designated for 5 years.
Its main goal is to adapt successful practices of efficient use of land and water resources, advanced agricultural technologies, innovative scientific inventions supporting development of agriculture on one hand and improvement of ecology on another hand in local conditions.
In Turkmenistan, this project is carried out in three pilot territories different in soil and climate conditions and covering parts of desert pastures, forests, irrigated lands and rain-fed lands of Ahal and Dashoguz regions.
In particular, the project provides opening of the sanctuary for cultivation of seedlings of fruit, coniferous, decorative trees and shrubs as well as pistachio, almond and other trees in mountain area next to Nohur village in order to extend the plantations in future.
Works for adaptation to salt and drought resistant pasture and forage crops, introduction of resource saving technologies, reclamation of salinized soil, which is t support the development of livestock farming in Central Karakums, are carried out in Ak Bugday district.
Together with development of Turkmen scientists personnel of the Academy of Sciences, National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna, local traditions of farming are studied.It is planned to restore old water collection facilities traditional water reservoirs and wells, for irrigation of pastures.
System of rational use of water resources by AquaCrop method, which has been developed by FAO, as well as national and foreign practice of returning of abandoned salinized territories into agricultural rotation, rehabilitation of salinized soil using drought and salt resistant crops will be tested and introduced in irrigated zone of Gurbansoltan-eje district.
It is planned to make demonstration grounds including experimental ground of Agricultural Institute in Dashoguz.
Desertification and drought have become a problem number one under conditions of climate change for many countries including Central Asia where these processes are aggravated by the drying of Aral Sea.
Constructive international initiative proposed by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the UN Sustainable Development Conference Rio+20, session of the United Nations General Assembly, Summits of the IFAS founder states and other big forums are aimed at solution of current objectives of the present day.
It includes a proposal on opening of Regional Centre of technologies related to the climate change in Central Asia, development of the UN Water Strategy as well as the UN Special Program for Aral Sea basin.
It was mention that the country has gained big experience in prevention of degradation and improvement of condition of irrigated lands, combating desertification, fortifying of sands, rational use of water resources, development of forests.
Project of creation of social and production cluster of new model in the area of Altyn Asyr Turkmen Lake is a bright example of integrated approach to solution of social, economic and ecological objectives.
Dozens of projects are also implemented in these spheres together with the UN Development Programme, the UN Environmental Programme, Global Ecological Fund and other competent international structures on national and regional level.