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The USAID Regional Water and Vulnerable Environment Activity (Activity) promotes economic stability, prosperity, and healthy ecosystems by strengthening regional capacity to manage water resources and mitigate environmental risks in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya River basins shared by five Central Asian countries.
Climate change issues are becoming increasingly relevant in the countries of Central Asia, negatively affecting the countries’ economy, in particular, the agricultural sector. The decrease in irrigation water supply in the Aral Sea basin and the unfavorable environmental situation in the region are causing significant annual losses in the quality and quantity of many economically valuable agricultural crops.
In view of the above, the Activity has analyzed the Central Asian agricultural sector with a focus on the introduction of innovative approaches in the agricultural sector. The analysis will be used to develop recommendations for investment projects on development of innovative climate-adapted agriculture including rational water use, wider application of water-saving technologies and use of alternative energy.
Within the framework of the online meeting, experts will share the results of analyses conducted in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
During the meeting, special attention will be given to issues of water security, water and land degradation (e.g. soil erosion, salinization, sedimentation due to soil degradation in watersheds, etc.), the relationship between agricultural productivity and water use efficiency, the role the agricultural sector in meeting certain national commitments to reduce CO2 emissions, etc.
Purpose: a) to present the analysis of the Central Asia agricultural sector with a focus on the introduction of innovative approaches in the sector; b) to discuss the prospects for the development of investment projects for the development of innovative climate-adapted agriculture in the region.
Attendees: Central Asian national and regional experts, representatives of regional basin management structures, national water ministries, national basin management structures and basin councils, and representatives of Small Basin Councils.