The efforts of Eurasia against soil pollution: strategies, partnerships, and innovations
It is estimated that around half of the world’s obsolete pesticides are in the former Soviet Union, with a large portion still concentrated in Central Asia. Weaknesses in the capacity of responsible institutions and stakeholders to effectively manage pesticides and associated wastes throughout their life-cycle, coupled with gaps in the legal and regulatory framework have led to the substantial stockpiling of obsolete pesticides in the region. In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, soils in many agricultural areas are contaminated beyond acceptable human health levels by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as lindane, endosulfan and Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), posing serious environmental and human health risks. Urgent remediation measures are imperative to address these pressing concerns.
On April 16 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) country office in Kazakhstan (FAOKZ) partnered with the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (FAOSEC) to organize the International Conference on Bio and Phytoremediation Technologies for Contaminated Soil towards Green Agriculture in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The conference was organized as part of the FAO-supported project “Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Disposal of POPs Pesticides in Central Asian countries and Türkiye (GCP/SEC/011/GFF)”. Its aim is to strengthen awareness about agricultural soil contamination, share information on cost-effective remediation technologies for reclaiming agricultural soil for safe production, and understand the opportunities and limitations of these technologies. The event gathered 50 participants from the ministries of agriculture of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Türkiye, as well as the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations (NGO)s. They exchanged knowledge and their capacity for the implementation of ecosystem-based solutions (EbS) such as bioremediation and phytoremediation.
On the second day of the conference, attendees participated in a site visit to the village of Saimasai in Almaty Oblast, where field experiments are ongoing using EbS technologies for remediating soils polluted by POPs. The site is located next to a former pesticide stockpile, primarily contaminated with DDT. Trials conducted in 2023 aimed to identify effective microorganisms and plants for bio- and phytoremediation, respectively. It was found that plants such as Miscanthus giganteus, alfalfa, dog-rose, and ryegrass are among the most effective hyperaccumulators of POPs.
As the GEF project (GCP/SEC/011/GFF) approaches its conclusion in early 2025, it is crucial to highlight its dual focus: reducing the release of POPs from obsolete pesticide stockpiles and strengthening the capacity for sound pesticide management throughout their lifecycle in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Türkiye. It therefore remains imperative to continue improving the regulations and monitoring of POPs pollution in the agricultural sector. It is in this context that the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) has been called upon to collaborate with FAO regional and country offices, ministries of agriculture, and soil institutes across the region. Together, they aim to establish a dedicated soil pollution working group (WG) within the framework of the Eurasian Soil Partnership (EASP). This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards minimizing risks of soil pollution in the region. The WG will unite soil pollution experts from the International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP) and governmental agencies, fostering a concerted effort to address key challenges, including:
- Investment and innovation: Identifying and promoting investment in innovative technologies for the mitigation and remediation of POPs and other contaminants of concern.
- Strengthening legislative frameworks: Enhancing regulatory measures to bolster the legal foundations governing soil pollution management.
- Establishing monitoring systems: Developing robust monitoring networks to track soil pollution levels and trends, to aid in informed decision-making.
- Raising awareness: Launching comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders about the adverse effects of soil pollution on agricultural productivity and environmental health.