When it comes to sustainable use of land resources, important elements are the successful testing and implementation of new integrated approaches aimed at preserving and restoring ecosystems, increasing population incomes, and improving the existing resource management system. The reform processes are accompanied by knowledge and skill development, capacity building for both decision-makers and the public. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH) Program regularly invites experts and organizes trainings and seminars for local partners and local residents, field visits and study tours within the Central Asian region and abroad.
In Uzbekistan, leskhoz employees and local residents in Kashkadarya, Samarkand and Surkhandarya regions have completed training and increased their knowledge on joint forest management. Two pilot leskhozes have tested effective land use methods on the newly created mixed plantations of sea buckthorn and wild rose, which can be an additional source of income for local residents.
Residents of the Farish district were trained in effective pasture management planning. To reduce pasture overload, people were offered opportunities to use alternative sources to generate income.
In the spring of 2018, two workshops on improving pistachio farming were held for 60 forest users in two pilot forestry enterprises – Bobotog and Gissar. An expert from the Turkish Pistachio Institute shared the Turkish experience with methods of early grafting of trees in containers. Participants learned that a high yield of pistachios is possible only after grafting, while early grafting can only be done in greenhouse containers.
In December 2018, the Program with the support of the State Forestry Committee held a seminar on the involvement of the local population in forest management at the Gissar forestry enterprise. Local residents learned how to combine pistachios and medicinal plants to increase productivity.
In May 2019, ten foresters and forest users of the Bobotog forestry enterprise improved their skills in pruning and grafting pistachio trees in a pilot area. This prepared forest users for the next grafting season.
Raising awareness on sustainable land management of both small groups and wider population is always crucial. In this regard, the Regional Program holds seminars, mini-lectures, press tours for representatives of the media.
In October 2017, journalists from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan visited the Karakalpak branch of the Makhmum Mirzaev Research Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture and Winemaking, and the Urgench State University. In these areas, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH project “Sustainable Economic Development in Selected Regions of Uzbekistan”, implemented jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, supported approaches to combating land degradation through intensive landscaping on saline soils in Khorezm, Karakalpakstan and Surkhandarya. Journalists learned about growing fruit trees on saline soils and modern agricultural technologies. After the study tour, the journalists prepared materials on intensive gardening, which were demonstrated in Kyrgyzstan and published in newspapers in Uzbekistan.
As for environmental education and training, the GIZ Program prepares TV broadcasts that help build a sense of responsibility for the protection and preservation of natural resources in children and adolescents. Similar broadcasts were successfully demonstrated by the Kyrgyz Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Corporation and distributed to schools.
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