As part of the FAO/GEF regional project "Integrated Natural Resources Managemenin in Drought-prone and Salt-affected Agricultural Production Landscapes in Central Asia and Turkey (CACILM-2)," equipment is being supplied to ensure effective approaches in natural resource management and transition to climate-smart agricultural technologies.

The pilot farms of the CACILM-2 project in Turkmenistan are the "Andalip" Daykhan Association in Akdepe etrap of Dashoguz velayat, the "Erbent" Daykhan Association in the Central Karakums, and the mountainous region of Nokhur in Ahal velayat.

Partners in Turkmenistan have already received several agricultural machinery and equipment from the project, including three 25 HP four-wheel drive tractors, three four-row seeders, a no-till seeder for crop sowing, and 15 two-wheeled tillers for organizing agro-technical activities. Recently, a ceremony was held in Akdepe etrap of Dashoguz velayat to hand over the latest equipment, a laser land leveler, to the "Andalip" Daykhan Association.

According to Mahmud Shaumarov, Regional Project Coordinator, the laser land leveler not only ensures efficient use of water resources and prevention of degradation of fertile soil but also allows to increase labor productivity, reduce soil processing time and fuel costs. Laser leveling is a modern technology for land leveling using special equipment, where the difference in surface irregularities in the field does not exceed 1-3 cm.

The application of this technology leads to a 25% average reduction in irrigation water consumption, at least a one-third increase in water use efficiency, a decrease in soil salinity, and a reduction in the time spent on irrigation. Moreover, it ensures uniform crop emergence, optimal nutrition and moisture for crops, reduces weed growth, and increases yield by 30 to 40%.

"In irrigated agriculture, a level soil surface guarantees efficient use of fertilizers, water and energy resources, which ensures stable and high crop yields," said Dessan Isgenderov, Chairman of the "Andalip" Daykhan Association during the equipment handover ceremony.

The main goal of the Regional Project CACILM-2 is to expand the scale of integrated natural resource management in drought-prone and salt-affected agricultural production landscapes in Central Asian and Turkey. Its implementation also makes a significant contribution to the implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in the Central Asian region.