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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) actively supports the development of the aquaculture sector in Turkmenistan. Within the framework of the Technical Cooperation Programme project, two specialized workshops were held in Ashgabat to improve the knowledge and skills of local farmers and veterinarians in aquatic animal health management, as well as the design and operation of aquaculture systems.

FAO uses an integrated approach that combines feed management, improved animal health and proper farm design, as these three aspects are closely interrelated. Such an approach is critical to increasing productivity, reducing costs and risks, increasing economic returns, supporting rural employment and strengthening food security in Turkmenistan.

A national training workshop on aquatic animal health management was held on 16 July. The focus was on preventing and reducing fish health risks, training farmers and veterinarians on diseases, and laying the foundation for developing effective aquatic animal health management systems. FAO advocates a proactive approach, as many disease and biosecurity problems can be prevented with the right knowledge.

On July 17, a workshop on aquaculture system design and operation was held. Participants were introduced to various types of aquaculture systems, including tanks, ponds, raceways, hatcheries, and received advice on selecting and designing systems suitable for local conditions. The workshop covered topics such as site selection and farm layout, rearing methods, general farming principles, management, record keeping, and biosecurity methods.

The knowledge and experience gained lay a solid foundation for creating a more sustainable and efficient aquaculture sector in Turkmenistan, which will ultimately contribute to economic growth, improved rural livelihoods, and food security for the country.

ORIENT

Photo: exponent.com