Esenguly, August 12, 2009. In August 11-12 within the framework of the implementation of the Global Environmental Facility, UNDP Turkmenistan and Ministry of nature protection project “Conservation and sustainable use of the biodiversity of international importance in Khazar State Reserve in the coast of the Caspian Sea” the seminar on conduction of small oasis agriculture in the Caspian sea coast took place in Essenguly settlement.

Scientists and specialists of the National Institute of deserts, flora and fauna of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat botanical garden and Atrek scientific-production station on growing of subtropical crops tool part in the seminar. The main objective of the seminar was to train local communities particularities of the growing agricultural and decorative plants.

Community leaders and interested inhabitants of four key settlements (Belek, Garagel, Gyzylsuw and Chekishlyar), representatives of Balkan district, Essenguly and Turkmenbashi regions and Hazar town, as well as specialists of Khazar State Reserve were among participants. During seminar, they had a chance not only learn the world’s best practices in rain water collection and storage, technologies of growing of subtropical and other, including salt-resisting crops in conditions of coastal area of Turkmenistan, but could also discuss the contemporary experiences in growing these crops in coastal area and discuss the required support from the project. The participants learned that in the costal area it is possible to grow such “exotic” plants, as oleaster, dates and olives. These plants require almost no care and can bring significant incomes. Salt-resistant plants as well as no-watering plants, such as hoursebean and mesquite, were also presented. During seminar participants also visited plots close to Aul-Bazar village, where local population grows fruits and melons with the use of non-watering technology. At the end of the seminar, specialists distributed among participants seeds of valuable crops for test growing on their plots.

The Hazar project considers the development of small oasis agriculture as one of the alternative strategies on creation of additional incomes and reduction of the pressure on biological resources around the reserve. Within the framework of the seminar participants elaborated project proposals, which could be considered for finance within the small grant program.

Documents of the seminar could be downloaded here.