From February 28 to March 4, 2022, in Nukus district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, a training seminar is being held on the topic “Application of the innovative irrigation technology “Buried Diffuser”” for farmers and representatives of relevant government agencies. The training was initiated by the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea Region under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan within the UNDP, UNFPA and FAO Joint Programme “Unleashing young people’s and vulnerable citizens’ creativity and innovation by strengthening their adaptive capacity to address the economic and food insecurities in the exposed communities of the Aral Sea region” funded by the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan. 

Image: UNDP

Buried Diffuser - is an underground irrigation technology developed in Tunisia, where drought and its effects are known firsthand. This method makes it possible to halve the water consumption required for drip irrigation, while increasing the yield by 3-5 times. It can be applied to irrigate trees, vegetables, and container plants.

Dr. Bellachheb Chahbani, the developer of this water-saving technology was invited from Tunisia to Uzbekistan to conduct the introductory lecture and the field training.

The participants of the event are learning the innovative technologies developed by Dr. Chahbani on the efficient and sustainable use of water in irrigation, as well as how to mitigate the consequences of the droughts and measures of adaptation to climate change. Among the key topics of the seminar are the features of working with a buried diffuser, irrigation water filtration and distribution systems, gravity injection of liquid fertilizers, atmospheric air supply to irrigation water, intelligent systems for controlling water supply during irrigation, and several others. The system uses wireless sensor and transmitter technology.

Image: UNDP

During the master class within the field training, participants will be demonstrated how to install and use the buried diffuser for irrigating vegetables and fruit trees, as well as for supplying and storing water in deep soil layers to combat prolonged droughts.

It should be noted that this is the first presentation of the “Buried Diffuser” technology in the Central Asian region. The five-day seminar and training are expected to increase the knowledge of local farmers and representatives of relevant government agencies about innovative agricultural practices and the benefits of their application in practice in the arid conditions of the Aral Sea region.

Image: UNDP