UNDP and GEF Support Sustainable Management of Pasture and Irrigated Lands in Turkmenistan
As part of the joint project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin for Multiple Benefits,” implemented with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), practical seminars on developing land- and water-use plans for the sustainable management of pasture and irrigated lands were held on 23 and 28 October 2026 in the country’s pilot regions.
The first seminar was held at the Turkmen Agricultural Institute in Dashoguz, followed by the second at the Amu Darya State Nature Reserve in Seydi, Lebap velayat. Both seminars brought together representatives of government institutions, local authorities, research and educational institutions, and land users to share expertise and discuss practical solutions for the sustainable management of land and water resources.
The seminars aim to strengthen the practical skills of government specialists and local land users in the sustainable management of land and water resources. Participants are introduced to digital tools, including geographic information systems (GIS) and the CROPWAT software, which enable more accurate calculations of crop water requirements and more efficient irrigation planning.
Particular attention is given to improving pasture productivity, preventing land degradation, and helping agriculture adapt to climate change. The solutions discussed include restoring livestock watering points and planting desert vegetation to improve pasture conditions.
The seminars are conducted with the participation of the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD) and the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SIC ICWC).
Cooperation among government institutions, the scientific community, and land users supports integrated approaches to natural resource management, helps reduce pressure on ecosystems in the Amu Darya Basin, and strengthens the region’s long-term environmental and economic sustainability.
