Project overview:
This multi-country project under the FTPP has encouraged farmers to adopt Conservation Agriculture (CA) techniques that intensify crop production while sustainably managing natural resources. As part of the Save and Grow initiative, the project aimed to equip farmers with knowledge and to focus on modern, sustainable farming practices.
“By having only one no-till drill, we managed to increase the area under no-till planting to 2 000 hectares. Some of the farmers are very advanced and forward looking, and are already diversifying cropping systems”
(Imran Jumshudov, Head of the Crop Department in the Ministry of Agriculture, Azerbaijan)
Through the project, which covered irrigated areas of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, farmers were trained in CA principles and practices for sustainable land and water management. Project farmers worked hand-in-hand with researchers and gained experience during field trials launched in 2012. High levels of productivity were observed when no-till technology was used with the application of diversified crop rotation.
The project also supported countries in formulating and adopting national policies and strategies for the adoption of CA in the region.
Key results of the project:
- CA principles and methods were applied on up to 6 000 hectares of farmland. Countries applying CA methods have experienced a rise in water use efficiency of 21–30 percent.
- Winter wheat yields in the Terter district of Azerbaijan rose from 3.5 to 4.4 tonnes.
- Uzbekistan recorded a maximum grain yield of 7.51 tonnes per hectare.
- A detailed subregional manual on CA was developed.
- An assessment study “Conservation Agriculture in Central Asia: Status, Policy and Institutional Support, and Strategic Framework for its Promotion” was prepared and disseminated across the region.
- Based on regional experience, similar projects were implemented in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Turkey.
- Twelve field days were organized and attended by more than 500 experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
