The trainings engaged 78 farmers from Kanlikul, Shumanay and Muynak districts that were most affected by the Aral Sea environmental crisis. The event was organized by the UN Joint Programme “Sustaining Livelihoods Affected by the Aral Sea Disaster” implemented by five UN agencies in Uzbekistan, including UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, WHO, and UNV in cooperation with the Government of Uzbekistan and Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, under the financial support of UN Trust Fund for Human Security.

The initiative on introduction of land laser leveling equipment in Karakalpakstan is conducted in partnership with Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, Khorezm Rural Advisory Support Service (KRASS) and Council of Farmers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Agriculture being one of the most important sectors of Uzbekistan’s economy is heavily dependent on irrigated agriculture, which according to the experts of KRASS, results in more than 90% of gross agricultural production. It is obvious, that water resources play a crucial role in agriculture, and their scarcity does not only have a negative effect on agriculture, but also on the economy as a whole. Water shortage is one of the most pressing issues in the context of Karakalpakstan, where the Aral Sea environmental crisis and high land salinity, have been causing a serious water shortage for irrigation purposes.

Based on the data of Council of Farmers of Karakalpakstan, the existing supply of irrigation water covers only 30-40% of the actual needs of the farmers. Such conditions, seriously affect the whole agricultural sector, decrease the income of farmers and dehkhans, and have a negative impact on the economic and food security of the rural population. Apart from the climatic and environmental factors, one of the causes for water shortage is the inefficient use of irrigation water by farmers and dehkhans, who continue growing crops using outdated technology and irrational irrigation methods. To this end, there is an increasing need for new effective and accessible water saving technologies.

One of such water saving solutions in agriculture is land laser leveling equipment. According to the experts of KRASS, laser leveling is a method of leveling of land surface with the help of laser device and special equipment, which allows for a 25% irrigation water saving. “Fields where land leveling was conducted, tend to have a very uniform surface. In fact, this allows for an even spread of irrigation water, even soil moisture, and as a result even germination of planted crops. Water saving is achieved due to the even spread of irrigation water on land surface”. The success of land laser leveling technology was initially demonstrated by GEF SGP and KRASS in Khorezm region of Uzbekistan, where as a result of piloting of land laser leveling in two demonstration plots managed by the Association of Water Users of Khorezm resulted in water saving of 20-25% and an increase in fertility of 5-10%. Considering the successful piloting and application of such technology, the UN Joint Programme in cooperation with KRASS, organized introductory workshops and practical field trainings, covering 78 farmers from three target districts.

Over the course of the introductory workshops, the participants were familiarized with the benefits of land laser leveling compared to the traditional irrigation methods. KRASS experts conducted field trainings, where the farmers were equipped with the necessary skills related to the preparation of their land for laser leveling (deep plowing and common land leveling), examined the main parts of the laser configuration, tested the abilities of the equipment, measured the relief of the field, and the most important – conducted land laser leveling. In addition to the capacity-building of the farmers, the UN Joint Programme procured and transferred 6 sets of laser leveling equipment to 6 farming enterprises in Kanlikul and Shumanay districts, selected with the support of the Council of Farmers of Karakalpakstan.

In order to ensure sustainability of this initiative and to expand the access of the rest of the farmers and dehkhans to the equipment, the farming enterprises took up an obligation to share this equipment with the other farming enterprises in their district and those of neighboring districts. Meanwhile, within the framework of this initiative, GEF SGP will also provide 6 sets of laser leveling equipment to 6 southern districts of Karakalpakstan.

Taking into account that land laser leveling technology creates a platform for further application of resource saving technologies, it is expected that this demonstration project and the upcoming introduction of land laser leveling into the agricultural sector of Karakalpakstan, will allow for efficient use of water resources, contribute to the efforts aimed at decreasing land degradation and return of land resources into productive use. Such conditions will stimulate further efficiency of agricultural sector, will help decrease the expenses of farmers, increase land fertility, and thus play a crucial role in ensuring food security of the population.