Cabo Verde and Uzbekistan, first to benefit from new training under the AWSAMe initiative using the knowledge products of WASAG for saline agriculture
Increasing salinity conditions is one of the manifestations of climate change which affects agriculture production, food security and nutrition with the potential to lead to environmental degradation. In response, the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) works towards collaborative solutions for resilient agrifood systems.
Under the FAO's Value Adding Impact Area (VAIA) ‘Adressing Water Scarcity in Agriculture and the enviroment (AWSAMe)', an initiative supporting one of the Four Betters of the FAO Strategic Framework, namely Better Environment, two trainings on saline agriculture were carried out in the field. In Uzbekistan, the training which took place from 19 to 21 March 2024, was centered around soil and water management under saline conditions in a landlocked context. In Cabo Verde, the training which was held from 2 to 4 April 2023, focused on how to cope with increasing water salinity and salt intrusions, considering that the country is small island developing state (SIDS) facing increasing saline intrusion. Farmers, technicians, researchers, extension officers and other stakeholders learned from hands-on experience to adopt best management practices and improve their water use efficiency in the context of increasing saline conditions. The participants provided overwhelming positive feedback, confirming the importance of the initiative; they requested that more training is provided considering the magnitude of the threat caused by salinity and the opportunities highlighted by the first training.
The training was based on the Farmers’ guidelines on soil and water management in salt-affected areas produced by the WASAG's working group on saline agriculture and which is aimed at assisting farmers in their decision-making processes in dealing with salinity and sodicity issues on their farmlands. In the context of the AWSAMe initiative, these guidelines were adapted into capacity building material and translated into the local languages (Portuguese and Uzbek, respectively). The training is piloted in the two countries which are the first to benefit from on-the-field training adapted to their respective agri-environmental conditions. Several countries facing increasing saline conditions stand to benefit from similar training tailored to their contexts.
This training was carried out thanks to the support provided to AWSAMe under the project by the FAO's Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC), which funded by the following resource partners:
• Flanders
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Sweden
• Switzerland
Their kind support is therefore duly acknowledged.