Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The FAO-GEF regional project, "Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought-prone and Salinity-Affected Agricultural Production Landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey" (CACILM-2), has been successfully implemented.

The final workshop,held in Bukhara, gathered representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and technical experts from six participating countries. Key sessions focused on evaluating the project’s impact on land and water management, and on exploring opportunities to scale up the results for enhanced regional cooperation in combating desertification, land degradation, and food security threats.

Launched in 2018 by FAO in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), CACILM-2 aimed to mitigate the effects of climate change and land degradation across Central Asia and Turkey. The project concentrated on introducing sustainable agricultural practices and effective land management strategies. It provided essential support to countries severely affected by desertification and salinization, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

“Bukhara and Kashkadarya served as the project's pilot regions, where research was conducted to address soil degradation and drought-affected lands. The project introduced vital equipment and promoted no-till farming—a technology that prevents climate change by planting crops without tilling the soil. Specialists demonstrated the practical application of cultivating productive crops on arid and saline lands,"-noted Assistant Representative of FAO UN in Uzbekistan.

With rapid population growth and the escalating impacts of climate change, Central Asian countries face significant challenges, including declining water resources, desertification of pastures, and land erosion. Over the past 30 years, agricultural productivity in the region has dropped, with crop yields decreasing by as much as 30%, exacerbating food security risks, particularly for vulnerable communities.

"The project implemented risk mitigation strategies, advanced irrigation techniques, and agricultural technologies aimed at protecting natural ecosystems while boosting agricultural productivity. Saving water is one of the most pressing issues in the region. Our goal is to meet current needs while preserving water and land resources for future generations without harming biodiversity," says national coordinator of Muhammadjon Kosimov.

On the second day of the workshop, participants visited Zarif Ota farm, headed by farmer Fakhriddin Zaripov, who is successfully applying no-till technology in crop production.

Worth noting that, the outcomes of CACILM-2 are closely tied to strengthening the resilience of Central Asian agricultural landscapes to climate change, in alignment with FAO’s strategic objectives of eradicating hunger, promoting sustainable agricultural development, and reducing poverty. The successful conclusion of CACILM-2 marks a critical step towards regional cooperation in combating land degradation and advancing sustainable development in Central Asia and Turkey.