Details of the Innovation Group’s Visit to the Demonstration Plot in Dang‘ara District, Fergana Region
From October 11 to 16, 2024, our team, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized a field expedition and training sessions for farmers, agricultural specialists, local government officials, community representatives, and teachers from Secondary School Number 5. The goal was to share the results of our project, conducted over the past year and a half, at the demonstration plot in Dang‘ara District, Fergana Region, while implementing sustainable agricultural practices. This initiative is funded by the European Union and is part of the project “Supporting an Inclusive Transition of the Agriculture and Food Sector to a Green Economy and Developing a Climate-Oriented Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (EU-AGRIN)” in partnership with the UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan. Our innovation group is implementing an innovative project focused on the bioremediation of saline soils using microorganisms. The objective of this project is to restore saline soils through environmentally friendly methods and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Salinization is a significant challenge for agriculture in Uzbekistan, leading to decreased soil fertility and reduced crop yields. The use of microorganisms for soil remediation offers an innovative and environmentally safe solution that improves soil composition and reduces the need for fertilizers.
The results observed at the demonstration plot located on the “Sardorbek Fayz” farm exceeded our expectations. For instance, due to the application of biopreparations and agrotechnical measures, the soil structure and microbial activity improved, enhancing the soil’s water retention capacity and reducing irrigation needs. As a result, water consumption decreased by 30%. Additionally, microorganisms naturally enhanced soil fertility and reduced the need for mineral fertilizers, enabling us to cut chemical fertilizer usage by 50%. Furthermore, the bioremediation of the soil resulted in a 20% increase in crop yields.
Soil fertility is crucial for achieving abundant harvests; therefore, our project places particular emphasis on agrotechnical measures aimed at improving soil fertility and reducing salinization. We hope that the methods applied by our innovation group, in collaboration with the UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, will be implemented across farms nationwide.
Since the beginning of this year, our innovation group, consisting of experts from the Institute of Microbiology and the “Soil composition and repository, quality analysis center” SUE, has been monitoring soil quality, assessing the mineral content, and determining salinization levels to develop optimal solutions for farmers. Together with soil quality assessment specialists, we initially analyzed two plots to examine soil samples for salinity and mineral content. After planting in April, we incorporated microorganisms as an additional measure alongside traditional agrotechnical practices. The results were promising, showing robust growth of cotton plants, improved drought resistance, and a significant reduction in soil salinity. The “Sardorbek Fayz” farm reported that this year’s harvest was significantly higher compared to previous years, with improved cotton quality. The trial plot, covering 5 hectares, demonstrated the effectiveness of these methods, serving as a model for future expansion.
At the seminar held to disseminate these findings and plan the next steps, participants included UNDP staff, local farmers, agricultural specialists, local government officials, community representatives, and teachers from Secondary School Number 5. Discussions centered on soil analysis, best practices for increasing yields, and strategies for advancing agricultural practices in arid areas. Participants outlined important steps for future collaboration and the expansion of acquired knowledge. We remain committed to working with our partners to develop innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions as we continue our efforts to transition the agriculture and food sector toward a green economy.
