On November 21, 2013 at the Research Institute of Breeding and Seed Production of Grain Crops in the city of Karshi, a seminar was held on the organization and implementation of laser leveling of irrigated lands in farms of the Kashkadarya region, organized within the framework of the joint project "Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation of land technologies of laser leveling of fields "of the GEF Small Grants Program (PMGEF) and the PROON project" Climate Risk Management in Uzbekistan "with the support of the Regional Khokimiyat and the Research Institute of Breeding and Seed Production of Grain Crops.

Seminar at the Research Institute of Breeding and Seed Production of Grain Crops

In Uzbekistan, irrigated agriculture is the main water-consuming industry and climate change caused by global warming, and their expected consequences require comprehensive water savings. In the Kashkadarya region there are about 1 million hectares of land suitable for irrigation, but due to the lack of water resources, slightly more than 500 thousand hectares of land are cultivated. The main and affordable method of irrigation today has been and remains surface irrigation in furrows. This method is extremely ineffective, because with it, mainly due to the unevenness of the surface of the fields, about half of the supplied irrigation water is not used rationally, namely, the places that rise above the main horizon of the field remain dry, and the depressions are flooded.

As practice shows, it is not possible to achieve the necessary leveling of the field surface using traditional long-base planners without laser (precise) control of equipment.

Taking into account the relevance of the implementation of resource-saving technologies in the region by the PROON project "Climate Risk Management" together with the PMGEF, it was decided to assist the pilot Kashkadarya region in carrying out laser leveling in six arid regions - Guzar, Karshi, Nishan, Kasby, Mirishkor and Kasan.

To this end, PROON, together with the PMGEF, purchased twelve sets of laser equipment, consisting of a laser beam transmitter (transmitterr) mounted on a mast, a laser beam receiver (receiver) mounted on trailed long-base planners and a height control rail, also equipped with laser receiver.

As part of this assistance, with the support of the regional Khokimiyat, on November 28, 2012, an introductory seminar was held in Karshi on the organization and implementation of laser leveling by farms as part of general agrotechnical work on irrigated lands.

Introductory seminar on November 28, 2012, in Karshi

Subsequently, in agreement with the regional Khokimiyat, this equipment was transferred through the Kengash of farmers of the Kashkadarya region to twelve successful farms that have at their disposal traction machines and mechanisms necessary for laser leveling. One of the main conditions for the donation of laser equipment to the most successful farms is their commitment to help neighboring farmers and expand best practices throughout the region.

Simultaneously with the transfer of equipment, the project held Field Days, which included training farmers in the principles of installing and setting up laser equipment on site, as well as the skills of independent work on laser leveling of fields.

It is important to remember that, in addition to leveling fields, laser leveling technology can also be widely used in the construction of irrigation canals, drainage and irrigation systems, - said Oybek Egamberdiev, a specialist from the NGO “KRASS”.

The seminar was attended by representatives of farms and departments of agriculture and water management of all cotton-growing districts of the region, as well as the regional Khokimiyat, Kengash of farms of the Kashkadarya region and the media.

The participants of the event were provided with information on the types and methods of planning irrigated lands, laser equipment and its use for planning irrigated areas, as well as additional measures to improve the efficiency of the recommended technology to increase the productivity of water and land resources in the face of climate change.

Farmers who have mastered the skills of installing and adjusting laser equipment, as well as carrying out work on leveling the surface of the fields, shared their experience of testing this technology in their farms.

A discussion took place regarding the further dissemination of the experience of laser leveling in other cotton-growing areas of the region.

At the demonstration site of the Research Institute of Breeding and Seed Production of Grain Crops, a practical lesson on laser leveling was held for farmers who had not yet used this equipment for field leveling.

Ruler setting

Bucket test

Increasing the effectiveness of this approach to the dissemination of this water-saving technology contributes to the inclusion in the farms of recipients of laser equipment located in the Kashkadarya region, the Research Institute of Breeding and Seed Production of Grain Crops. Using the scientific and technical potential of this institute, on the example of its demonstration site in the Karshi region, a regular regional seminar on laser leveling in six arid regions was held.

At present, laser leveling of lands has been carried out on 50 hectares of lands in Karshi, Kasby, Mirishkor and Kasan districts.

The activities carried out today will help to save water in the area for the next field season.

The laser continues to conserve water.

LPZ - BEST EARTH PRACTICE