Photo: © FAO/Sergey Kozmin

online – A workshop organized by FAO brought together research experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan to discuss issues related to mechanization of the cotton harvest and to share the experiences of both countries.

Cotton is an important commodity for the economy of Turkmenistan and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and workers. The country ranks 12th in the world for seed cotton production with an output of 580 000 tonnes per year. The crop also plays an important role in the economy, however, continuous production and rising labour costs have led to challenges in recent years. Improved mechanization, especially for harvests, has been recommended as an option to improve production and reduce labour costs nation-wide, yielding an increase in economic returns and making Turkmenistan more competitive in global markets.

The workshop was opened by Berdi Berdiyev, FAO National Correspondent in Turkmenistan; Kakageldi Rejepov, Head of the Finance Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Protection of Turkmenistan; Koray Şimşek, Director of the Cotton Research Institute; and Viorel Gutu, FAO Representative in Turkey and Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia. Berdiyev emphasized the importance of the cooperation agreement signed with the Cotton Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey, which aims to facilitate the transfer of Turkish experience in cotton mechanization. Kakageldi Rejepov provided detailed information regarding existing legislation for cotton production in Turkmenistan. Finally, Viorel Gutu emphasized the relevance of the experience of Turkey in cotton harvest mechanization and expressed his belief that efforts to assist Turkmenistan improve its agriculture would heighten existing cooperation between Turkmenistan, Turkey and FAO.

Technical experts Gurban Novruzov and Akmaral Orazguliyeva from the Agriculture Research and Production Centre of Turkmenistan presented the status of cotton production and agronomic practices in Turkmenistan. Experts from Turkey then shared their experiences of transitioning the country from hand picking to machine harvesting within two decades.

Koray Şimşek, the Director of the Cotton Research Institute in Nazilli, Turkey summarized Turkey’s positive experiences with mechanization of the cotton harvest over the last two decades. He explained that the journey was not always an easy one and required a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary national programme, encompassing breeding and agronomy in addition to harvest and post-harvest processes.

Tijen Özüdoğru from the Agricultural Economic and Policy Development Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey then presented the requirements for the transition to mechanization. She indicated that such a transition in Turkmenistan would take time but could be facilitated by engagement with relevant stakeholders and public support, and that cotton production would become more competitive in international markets as a result. Özüdoğru added that ongoing consultations among relevant stakeholders including farmers, scientists, traders and industry would play a key role in the successful implementation of a national programme and strategy.

The Turkmen and Turkish delegations expressed a willingness to cooperate to improve the cotton harvest and cotton production in Turkmenistan. Fazıl Düşünceli, Agricultural Expert of the FAO Subregional Office at the SEC office in Ankara, indicated that a long-term strategic approach is needed to improve mechanization in the country. Düşünceli further stated that the existing collaboration between Turkey and Turkmenistan will help develop linkages in both countries as well as the necessary strategic framework for Turkmenistan, and that FAO is pleased to play a facilitator role in this regard.