Workshop participants of the project implemented within the framework of Central Asian Countries Initiative for Land Management (CACILM) acknowledge that not all agricultural producers of Central Asia are aware of available advanced technologies and approaches in sustainable land management even in their own countries. Therefore, it is imperative to collect technologies and approaches within the region and make them available for dissemination. The regional project on knowledge management supported by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Area (ICARDA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) aimed at solving this issue.
Countries intended to share knowledge, making the first joint steps towards desertification control. About 80 percent of Central Asia (CA) includes the predominantly arid and semi-arid areas. In the beginning of the century five Central Asian countries declared their readiness to join their efforts in addressing the problem. This initiative was supported by donors focused on combating land degradation and signed an agreement on strategic partnership for the implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in the region.
In the frame of consultation meetings it was agreed to ensure transparency and exchange of experience and replication of successful practices. Implementation of national and regional projects started in 2006. Now, the second phase of CACILM is being implemented in five countries of CA. Many best practices have been collected.
Regional partners of the project on knowledge management are Kazakh Research Institute of Soil Science and Agro-Chemistry, Ministry of Agriculture and Melioration of Kyrgyz Republic, Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Water Resources of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan State Research Institute for Soil Science and Agro-Chemistry, and a number of other specialized research and production organizations.
In summer of 2013, the Inception Workshop in Bishkek brought together scientists and specialists. They decided to focus on the best practices developed within the projects implemented under CACILM and those listed in database of the World overview of conservation approaches and technologies (WOCAT). The database of best practices will also include technologies and approaches on sustainable water, land and forest resources management including pasture management, livestock and crop production developed by scientists and farmers.
Inception Workshop was followed by selection of best practices in each country of CA. Researchers met again on the eve of spring field work in 2014 at the regional workshop in Almaty. -It is important to strengthen the cooperation of the five countries in targeted agrosystems: mountains, irrigated, rainfed, pastures, - said Akmal Akramkhanov, Project Coordinator - This will improve the agricultural systems, as well as the promotion of approaches and technologies for adaptation to climate change.
Participants presented about two hundred technologies, methods and approaches, and selected the top - priority technologies among them. They discussed and decided which of them should be primarily implemented in accordance with the information about time-tested results, economical and environmental characteristics. For example, artesian saline water is successfully used for irrigation of forage and melon crops in the Kyzyl Kum desert, Uzbekistan. In context of climate change it is becoming increasingly difficult to retain soil moisture on pastures of southern Kazakhstan. Technology of early spring irrigation of fields and pastures to retain soil moisture is implemented in this area. Arable steep slopes suffer from erosion. To reduce erosion farmers dig draining trenches with a slope of 10-20 degrees to facilitate rainwater harvesting and develop intercepting channels on the top of the field to prevent runoff. The use of measured water flows in furrow irrigation showed good results in Turkmenistan. Irrigation pipes andsiphons increase water productivity more than 2 times and provide better water distribution. Minimum tillage in crop production in Kyrgyzstan is also a great example for farmers. Plowing depth is 10-12 cm. This prevents soil compaction, which results from heavy machinery and tractors. Minimum tillage provides higher rate of seed germination as compared to the regular plowing, and decrease soil evaporation and carbon dioxide emissions.
It emerged that some of the technologies were tested in two or even three countries and have excellent results. The list of technologies including but not limited to drip irrigation using polyethylene film in a closed and open soil, community based pasture management, laser leveling, agroforestry and land reclamation on degraded irrigated lands.
Many questions were asked on each presented technology including the rehabilitation of degraded lands. “Which tree species can help to restore marginal lands?” Immediately sounded answer: "Salt and drought tolerant with high drainage and nitrogen-fixing ability. Thus, oleaster, fast-growing Asiatic poplar, perennial Ulmus pumila are well adapted to the natural environment of Khorezm, Uzbekistan. Seedlings need watering only two years, until the roots of the trees reach ground water."
The mapping by using GIS technology was also discussed. There are developments. However, it turned out that even the experts are only slightly aware how to map the territory using satellite images and make them applicable for the farmers. Now we see a gap.
Another gap is how the Central Asian countries can adapt to climate change. But technologies are available. Big attention is given to the forest shelterbelts. Hasany ever heard about bamboo reed (Arundo donax)? Meanwhile, it is a perennial cereal plant with three- four meters of high has been used successfully in Turkmenistan to develop shelterbelts around yards and villages. Once it is planted it will serve you next sixty years. Stems can be used in the household chores - up to two hundred tons per hectare. So, here we have a double benefit. There are other practices that are very good in terms of adaptation.
Therefore, when gaps were identified, participants of the regional seminar decided to address them by investigating the matter of use of geographic information systems and the adaptation of the best farming practices. First, experts and scientists will know inside out, and then knowledge will be distributed in respective countries through workshops, publications in mass media, journals, newsletters, farmer schools and water users associations.
One of the essential elements in the dissemination of information will be the web site. Content will be provided in Russian. It will cover not only selected but almost all types of technologies and come out with agriculturists (farmers) - champions in their engagement (learn by example), scientists, their innovations and many other things important for farmers.
Internet for rural people no longer a novelty, but still is not always available. Anyway, computerization is speeding up. Farmers turn on computers, go online and find this web-site (at ICARDA’s portal) by searching keywords “land management in Central Asia”. Now, they can explore and implement the best practices. Certainly they will consider other selected and approved technologies too. If there are any questions or concerns, the Internet will provide answer back from researchers and practitioners. Subsequently, there is a floor for further comments and discussions. The main thing is to be aware. Knowledge is power. The project continues, and all plans on the immediate horizon.
More women are working in farming in northern Tajikistan than ever before, spurred by male labour migration and privatization of the agricultural sector.
Gender Research Associate |
To assist in strengthening the integration of gender considerations in agricultural research for-development activities in the Dryland Systems CGIAR Research Program in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The Program focuses on promoting sustainable intensification in promising areas and resilient livelihoods in marginal areas. |
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