In the mountainous terrain of Kyrgyzstan, issues of soil fertility preservation become particularly important. The country faces numerous environmental problems, including erosion, degradation, salinization, and reduced fertility, which in turn negatively affect crop yields and the resilience of agri-food systems in the context of a changing climate.
To improve the situation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture, is launching a global program "Doctors for Soils" in Kyrgyzstan.
This initiative aims to train farmers, providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills for self-diagnosis and resolution of soil issues. Key to the successful implementation of the program are "promoters," who understand the specifics of local agriculture and cultural features, acting as a link between the FAO Global Soil Partnership, national institutions, and farmers.
The first seminar in Bishkek has concluded, where 25 master trainers, or "Doctors for Soils," were trained to promote the program. The event, held from March 23 to 27, aimed to enhance the qualifications of specialists who will subsequently train farmers in modern methods of sustainable soil resource management.
Oleg Guchgeldiev, FAO representative in Kyrgyzstan, emphasized in his welcoming speech that "without healthy soils, it is impossible to ensure food security, proper nutrition, biodiversity, and clean water." He noted that soil is the primary source of over 95% of our food and provides key nutrients for plants; however, it faces serious threats, including degradation and irrational use.
The training program included both theoretical and practical components. Participants, representing the largest regions of the country, studied the principles of different soil types and the importance of organic matter. Special attention was given to diagnostic methods that farmers can use in their fields, such as determining soil acidity using special indicators. All participants received special soil analysis kits and educational materials from the FAO.
The training covered not only soil condition diagnostics but also recommendations for improving its quality.
"Our goal is not only to impart knowledge but also to demonstrate simple methods that can be applied directly in the field without complex equipment," said Maria Konyushkova, FAO consultant on sustainable soil management. This will allow farmers to better understand the state of the soil and make informed decisions to enhance its fertility.
During two of the five days, master trainers conducted their own training sessions for farmers from the Chui region, which served as a kind of exam to demonstrate the skills they had acquired.
Shabdan Matkasymov, a soil scientist from the Jalal-Abad region and one of the training participants, noted that the knowledge and skills gained during the course help him to better understand how to increase the nutrient content in the soil.
The global program "Doctors for Soils," launched by the FAO in 2020, covers 28 countries and includes 1,569 "doctors for soils." These efforts have already helped over 14,000 farmers worldwide improve the condition of their soils and implement sustainable agricultural practices.
The program promotes the dissemination of effective methods to combat soil degradation and maintain the health of agricultural lands, ensuring the "healing" of soils through the efforts of specific "doctors." Kyrgyzstan's participation in this initiative will help reduce the burden on soil resources, improve the quality of agricultural products, and strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector in the long term.
The entry "Kyrgyzstan joins the FAO global program 'Doctors for Soils'" first appeared on the K-News website.
