25 August 2015: United Nations Development Program (UNDP) together with the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan held series of the two-day trainings for local water users to increase the knowledge in the area of adaptation to climate change and sustainable use of water on farms.
The trainings were held as part of the “Addressing Climate Change Risks to farming systems in Turkmenistan at national and community level” project in the pilot regions of “Nohur”, “Karakum” and “Sakarchage”. The programme launched in 2013 is funded through the global Adaptation Fund (AF).
The trainings were attended by more than 150 representatives of local communities – leaseholders, farmers, shepherds, agronomists, hydraulic engineers, heads of livestock farms. The topics for the trainings were selected according to individual geographical location and needs of each pilot region: mountainous area, desert area and oasis.
In “Nohur” pilot region, a separate topic for discussion was “Methods of grafting fruit trees”. The main objective of this training was to engage local people to participate in activities for the revival of gardening as an alternative source of income under the conditions of climate change. National project experts have demonstrated ways of vegetative propagation (cuttings, rhizomes, tubers, bulbs) to ensure that the participants have mastered the material.
In “Sakarchage” pilot region, the training was held on the topic of “Mineral nutrition of cotton and wheat under the conditions of climate change”. During the training, participants were introduced to determining the level of nutrients in the soil, application of fertilizers, the concept of an agrochemical cartogram and the methods of rapid agrochemical analysis. Participants independently calculated the dosage of fertilizers for cotton and wheat, to determine the time and methods of application of mineral fertilizers depending on soil conditions.
In “Karakum” pilot area, the training was conducted on “Application of drip irrigation in desert conditions”. During the training, participants learned about peculiarities of the drip irrigation in greenhouses. Also, participants were demonstrated the new irrigation methods that are used in countries with shortage of water caused by climate change.
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Contact Information
Ahmet Shadurdiev
Project Manager, AF Project
E-mail: ahmet.shadurdiev@undp.org