Fourth FOLUR–Uzbekistan Steering Committee Meeting Held

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Uzbekistan hosted the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee for the project “Assessment of Food Systems’ Impact on Land Use and Land Restoration in Uzbekistan” (FOLUR).

The meeting brought together representatives from the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, and project partners including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project aims to promote sustainable land management, enhance food systems, and restore degraded ecosystems across Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, participants reviewed project activities, discussed the annual work plan and budget, analyzed expenditures, and agreed on priority areas for further implementation.

Practical initiatives under FOLUR include the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies. Six no-till seeders from Brazil were procured through an international tender and delivered to selected farm households. To support sustainable incomes, 85 small greenhouses were constructed. Additionally, 73 citizens received motor-cultivators, six received harvest equipment, and farm households were provided with drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, biofertilizers, and approximately 60 tons of seeds. In total, 320 tons of seeds were distributed among farmers.

Special focus was placed on innovative water management. In the Shakhrisabz district of Kashkadarya region, artificial ice reservoirs using Ice Stupa technology were created to store water during winter for gradual use in spring and summer irrigation.

Committee members also discussed international events, workshops, and trainings within the project, exchanged expertise, and strengthened collaboration between partner organizations to enhance coordination.

The meeting concluded with agreement on priority directions for the next project phase and emphasized the importance of continued FAO engagement with national partner organizations.