UAE Joins Efforts to Combat Land Degradation in Karakalpakstan
The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in the UAE, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and with the support of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, is leading a project in Karakalpakstan to assist farmers in preventing economic losses caused by land degradation.
The project, titled “Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan,” was recently discussed during a meeting between Minister Aziz Abdukhakimov and the Director-General of ICBA, Tarifa Al Zaabi as reported by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.
Minister Abdukhakimov expressed his satisfaction with the growing cooperation between ICBA, the International Innovation Center Aral Sea Basin (IICAS), and the Ministry of Ecology in addressing land degradation and building the capacity of farmers in Karakalpakstan. Land degradation and climate change are significant issues in the region, exacerbated by the crisis of the Aral Sea.
The project includes the establishment of the GEN bank, research on drought- and water-resistant crop varieties, training for local personnel, and the provision of modern equipment and technologies for soil research. With a budget of over $1.09 million, the project aims to mitigate the impacts of the Aral Sea disaster and promote sustainable agriculture in the region.
Upon completion, the project is expected to increase agricultural productivity in Karakalpakstan through the implementation of climate-resilient, biosaline, and integrated farming systems. It will benefit 5,000 farmer and dehkan farms by developing agribusiness value chains, creating climate-resilient crops, providing training in best management practices, and establishing field schools for farmers.
During the meeting, discussions also touched on past UN global events COP28 in Dubai and COP14 in Samarkand. Minister Abdukhakimov extended an invitation to the Director-General of ICBA to participate in the upcoming Samarkand Climate Forum in April this year.
