President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on May 10 familiarized himself with proposals on adapting agriculture to climate change, efficient land use, and the development of agricultural science.
In Uzbekistan, 3 million hectares of pastures and agricultural land have been degraded, with approximately 2 million hectares being salinized to varying degrees.
According to foreign experts' estimates, by 2030, water resources in the region may decrease by almost 6% due to climate change. Measures need to be taken now, as stated in the President's press service message.
In this regard, a national program consisting of 52 points has been developed for adapting agriculture to climate change and mitigating its impact. The program includes attracting over $294 million in grant funding.
Specifically, in the Aral Sea region, the plan is to improve the condition of 1 million hectares of agroecological landscapes and degraded pastures. In Karakalpakstan, as well as in the Khorezm, Bukhara, and Kashkadarya regions, protective forest belts are planned to be established. Cultivation of licorice, rosehip, sesame, and artemia will be initiated in areas with poor water supply.
Additionally, a center for climate change analysis and forecasting will be established, and agrometeorological stations will be set up in five regions. In collaboration with Italy, an International Center for Intensive Seed Production and Nurseries will be organized, focusing on cultivating drought- and salinity-resistant plant seedlings. Water-saving technologies tailored to local conditions will be produced in Karakalpakstan.
Water conservation is particularly crucial in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River, leading to subsidies for laser land leveling expenses in Karakalpakstan. Grain and rice producers will receive subsidies from the state budget to cover up to 100% of fuel and lubricant costs per hectare leveled with a laser leveler.
Initially, this scheme will cover the Turtkul, Beruni, and Amudarya districts. The expected outcome is a yield increase of 5-7 centners and a 15-20% reduction in water consumption.
Plans for the efficient use of land at the Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture, and Winemaking named after academician Mahmud Mirzaev have also been presented.
For instance, 142 hectares of land at the Bandikhan Experimental Station will be reintroduced into circulation. Modern water-saving technologies will be implemented on a 300-hectare area, focusing on cultivating export-oriented fruits and grapes.
At the Navoi Experimental Station in the Kyzyltepa district, a grape seedling cultivation enterprise will be established using varieties imported from France and other countries.
Energy-efficient pump units and transformers will be installed at both stations to improve water supply.
Recall that on May 6-7, recommendations for developing a national adaptation plan were adopted at a climate change conference in Tashkent. Having such a plan is essential for every country committed to the Paris Climate Agreement.
In November, the World Bank noted that climate change adaptation measures could bring triple dividends to Uzbekistan.
