Around the world, mudslides and landslides are becoming more frequent, while heatwaves and dust storms are becoming the new normal. Warnings from scientists about climate change and its impacts always seemed far away, but today we feel their influence in all aspects of our lives.

One of the sectors most exposed to the effects of climate change is agriculture. To help Fergana Valley farmers adapt to the change, UNDP and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan organized a workshop on 27-29 June to raise awareness of climate change and its impacts on agricultural development. The training was held as part of a project called ‘Enhancing the adaptation and strengthening the resilience of farming to Climate Change Risks in Fergana Valley’ with financial support from the Russian Federation.

Mamurbek Islomov, head of the Bogbon TRAM Agro cooperative, attended the workshop and left with renewed hope to overcome the challenges ahead. “Ideally, every farmer should be able to anticipate the risks of climate phenomena, and take measures to prepare for nature's whims,” he said. “It may be necessary to use seedlings and seeds of drought-and-heat-resistant varieties which are least susceptible to diseases and pests.  We can also use nets to protect against possible sunscorch and hail, and apply means to delay or accelerate crop awakening in the early spring.”  

The Fergana Valley feeds much of Central Asia. The principal crops growing in the region’s exceptional agricultural fertility include wheat, cotton, rice, vegetables and fruit. The Valley is encircled by the Tian Shan Mountains to the north and the Gissar-Alai range to the south, making the region particularly susceptible to climate change.

June 28, 2021. Namangan, Uzbekistan. Bakhtiyorjon Toshtemirov, UNDP Project Task Manager, explaining to farmers the implication of climate change in agriculture and key adaptation measures to climate change risks in farming. Project code: 00114066. Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan / Maksuda Muhsinbaeva

Agriculture is the main source of income for the people of the Fergana Valley, most of whom live in rural areas. For several years, farmers and rural households have faced problems related to climate change’s impacts on produce quantity and quality.

The workshop covered the main factors, causes and consequences of climate change.  Experts presented studies on the impact of climate change on agricultural development, possible adaptation measures, and issues related to food security.

Adaptation measures to address the risks of climate change attracted particular interest and created engaged discussions among the workshop participants. Such measures include crop planting schemes that consider the movement of the sun, irrigation methods using hydrogel, pulling water from the air using condensates with nets, applying different types of mulch for different crops, and utilizing drip irrigation and sprinkling systems.

When discussing methods of combating and adapting to the consequences of climate change, participants emphasized the need to improve agricultural practices on a continuous basis, given that today it is no longer possible to farm traditionally. It is now more than ever necessary to find new ways to solve problems, learn from experience, involve young people in agriculture, and share knowledge.

June 28, 2021. Namangan, Uzbekistan. Photo from the workshop. Many farmers of Fergana valley have witnessed the changing climate becoming increasingly unpredictable over the past several years and want to know what they can do to ensure their families’ economic and food security. Project code: 00114066. Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan / Maksuda Muhsinbaeva

Video materials presented during the workshop showed agricultural practices used in leading exporting countries. These included approaches to greenhouse farming and seed industry used in the Netherlands, different water-saving measures, and drip irrigation methods applied in Israel.

The farmers who attended the workshop said they are interested in learning everything they can so they can apply whatever measures are possible to better respond and adapt to the consequences of climate change. Mamurbek Islomov, head of the Bogbon TRAM Agro cooperative, said he believes a good farmer will never give up even if a harvest is lost due to natural factors.  “A good farmer will have created a well-developed plan for growing another crop that will save them from losses, and they may even come out with a profit.”