Ashgabat, 12 November 2021: In the framework of the project "Supporting climate resilient livelihoods in agricultural communities in drought-prone areas of Turkmenistan" jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the GEF Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), a seminar was organized on "The importance of modeling agroecological zones (AEZ) for the optimal placement of crops by regions of the country".

The event was organized with the assistance of the project partners such as “Russian Experts on Demand Programme” funded by the Russian Federation and the “Governance Support Program” funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The seminar was held with the participation of an international consultant, Professor of the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (Moscow), Mr. Ivan Vasenev, who introduced the participants to international experience in creating agro-ecological zones using digital technologies. The Russian expert will also provide assistance to the UNDP project in the preparation of a Roadmap for modeling the AEZ in Turkmenistan, taking into account international experience and the existing institutional capacity in the country.

The seminar was attended by representatives of the scientific community, employees of agricultural universities, representatives of the velayat and etrab khyakimliks and specialists of interested sectoral ministries and entities of Turkmenistan.

“The purpose of the workshop is to discuss the possibilities of AEZ modeling at the national level and assess the existing capacity of stakeholders,” noted Farhat Orunov, Programme Analyst of the UNDP Environmental Portfolio in Turkmenistan. “Agro-ecological models will help formulating long-term public investment policy in the agricultural and water sectors to cope with future climate change risks.

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A joint project between UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan " Supporting climate resilient livelihoods in agricultural communities in drought-prone areas of Turkmenistan" was launched in 2016 and aims to support adoption of adaptation measures with climate change considerations for sustainable development of agricultural communities living in Lebap and Dashoguz velayats of Turkmenistan.

One of the main project objectives is to support the Government in improving institutional and legal mechanisms for the effective use of water and land resources, including the introduction of climate adaptation measures through Institutional changes.  

In this context, the project is actively involved in the development of a strong regulatory framework in the field of land and water resource management by attracting qualified law specialists and creating a platform for discussions, exchange of knowledge and experience to combine the efforts on the revision of current regulations.