This article was published in the newspaper "Pravda Vostoka" on January 3, 2013.
Farming laser
Farmer Karimboy Sobirov's day begins with a walk through the autumn wheat fields. The wide field turns green to the horizon. And though it is not the first year, he reaps a bountiful harvest and rejoices with all his heart, looking straight at the ears. Innovative agricultural technologies have helped to achieve this result.
Sabir Gurlani farm in Gurlen district of Khorezm region is one of the most successful farms. Neither harsh climates nor saline soils prevent high yields of wheat. This wedge, which had recently sunk in green, looked different. The 150 acres were divided into four parts, the difference between which was forty centimeters. When irrigated, water flooded the lowlands, raising groundwater, and salt was formed. So the field had to be washed with plenty of water. And the areas above were suffocated without moisture.
No matter how hard the farmer tried, he could not level the field. Karimbay Sobirov then turned to scientists for help. Specialists of the Khorezm agro-consulting center "KRASS" advised to carry out laser leveling. Unlike traditional laser leveling, it allows high-precision topographic uniformity to be achieved, thereby getting rid of weeds and allowing plants to mature at the same time. The process is simple. The laser tower measures the surface height, transmits a signal to the tractor cab. The data is then fed to a scraper, which cuts the soil to the desired height. The error usually does not exceed two centimeters. A uniform and efficient irrigation is ensured.
The introduction of this agro-innovation in the region began in 2010 as part of the center's project "Promotion of resource-saving technologies for sustainable development of irrigated agriculture in Khorezm region of Uzbekistan." It was supported by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program. The goal was to teach farmers modern farming techniques. We purchased several levels for trainings and seminars. In 2011, the laser also visited the Sabir Gurlani farm. Now the winter wheat has sprouted just as quickly, and the harvest is plentiful. Water consumption could be reduced by about a quarter, and soil salinity was reduced.
- The success of the method has been confirmed in other parts of the country. It is necessary to popularize the useful experience, - said the chairman of the Khorezm regional farmers' council Bakhodir Tadjiev. - Its special significance is that it helps to save water.
Laser straightening is not the only method in the arsenal of KRASS specialists. Here they deal with a wide range of issues of successful farming in difficult climates.
"We teach the analysis of available irrigation resources, methods and technologies, soil fertility management, as well as farm planning and budgeting, the use of information technology," said Inna Rudenko, senior researcher at the Khorezm Agro-Consulting Center. "KRASS". - In addition, we try to work primarily with small farms and small private agricultural enterprises.
Today, the structure of NGOs includes departments dealing with GIS-design, soil fertility analysis, economic aspects of agricultural activities. KRASS specialists are involved in several international projects. Close contacts have been established with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Arid Territories (ICARDA) and others, which will promptly explore new ways to combat desertification and soil salinity. allows
"It used to take months to fully understand the salinity of the soil," he said. Modern devices give results in a few hours. We show them to farmers and tell them how to use them better. We also have equipment that determines the amount of nitrogen in the soil and allows you to accurately calculate the amount of fertilizer needed, - said Inna Rudenko. - We promote ways to improve the reclamation of soil and save resources.
Karimbay Sobirov often visits the KRASS center. He never stops filling the baggage of knowledge. And it attracts neighbors. After all, many problems cannot be solved alone. The farmer plans to insulate the local canal. During the dry summer, its water is not enough for adequate irrigation. The example of colleagues in Yangiarik district already exists - if you lay a simple plastic film along the bottom, you can significantly reduce the loss of valuable moisture.
“If you try to do something new and good, there will always be people ready to support you,” Sobirov believes.
