"Bright spots" in Uzbekistan, reversing land and water degradation while improving livelihoods: Key developments and sustaining ingredients for transition economies of the former Soviet Union

Author: Noble, Andrew, ul Hassan, Mehmood, Kazbekov, Jusipbek
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 45
Release: 2005
Genre: Irrigation farming
ISBN: 9290905905

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Following the dissolution of the former Soviet Union and the collapse of existing trade arrangements, the newly independent states of Central Asia were left with the task of developing their own independent market economies. The region has undergone tremendous economic and social changes including significant agricultural reform mainly targeted at privatizing large collective farms that were established during the Soviet era. These reforms include the establishment of smaller private and cooperative farms in order to improve the efficiency and equity of existing production systems. Within Uzbekistan, this move to privatize farms has, in the majority of cases, led to declining productivity and net incomes. However, there have been instances where privatized farms and smaller collectives have been able to capitalize on these changes and perform at levels exceeding the norm. This Report identifies the key attributes of these successful farms that have been termed ''bright'' spots.

Agricultural extension in Central Asia: existing strategies and future needs

Agricultural extension in Central Asia: existing strategies and future needs
Author: Kazbekov, Jusipbek
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 50
Release: 2011-12-19
Genre:
ISBN: 9290907452

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Agriculture is at the forefront of the development objectives of the republics of Central Asia (CA). Since independence in 1991, these countries have undergone transitions from being centrally planned economies to market-oriented systems, which did not include the creation of agricultural extension systems. This paper provides information on the current status of the agricultural extension systems in CA with special reference to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. We reviewed the existing extension strategies, donor- and state-driven initiatives to revitalize the agricultural extension systems, informal linkages that nongovernmental organizations play in helping a limited number of farmers, and provided recommendations on ways to further improve the agricultural extension services in CA. The information related to each country was analyzed separately. This is because, after independence, each republic in CA had initiated their agricultural reforms with specific objectives and has now established their unique agricultural systems that differ contextually. However, due to having the same history and agricultural system that existed during the Soviet times, we tried to give a historical perspective to the unified agricultural extension system that existed before independence.

Disaster by Design

Disaster by Design
Author: Michael R. Edelstein
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 506
Release: 2012-11-27
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1781903751

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This volume addresses the impacts of the Aral Sea disaster; disappearance of what was the world's fourth largest inland body of water. It argues this was the result of deliberate policy decisions. This volume is essential reading for everyone concerned with averting environmental disaster and in creating livable, sustainable communities.

When "conservation" Leads to Land Degradation

When
Author: Lesterlin, G., Giordano, Mark, Keohavong, G.
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2005
Genre: Land degradation
ISBN: 9290905999

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In this report, we test the hypothesis that the primary factors behind the farming system changes in Ban Lak Sip lay not in the village itself but rather in the broader Laotian social, economic and political setting. The study uses an integrated approach that examines both the physical and social dimensions of land use and soil erosion in Ban Lak Sip within this broader system environment.

Strategies to Mitigate Secondary Salinization in the Indus Basin of Pakistan

Strategies to Mitigate Secondary Salinization in the Indus Basin of Pakistan
Author: Aslam, M., Prathapar, S. A.
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 31
Release: 2006
Genre: Irrigation
ISBN: 9290906162

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ThisThis report discusses the nature and causes of secondary salinization, reviews strategies developed and tested within IBIS to mitigate salinization, and identifies areas requiring further investigation.

Irrigation and schistosomiasis in Africa: Ecological aspects

Irrigation and schistosomiasis in Africa: Ecological aspects
Author: Boelee, Eline, Madsen, H.
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 43
Release: 2006
Genre: Irrigation
ISBN: 9290906316

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his research report discusses ecological aspects of schistosomiasis transmission and options for its control in irrigated areas in Africa through environmental measures. Human schistosomiasis is endemic in 46 African countries.After being infected by larvae emerging from human excreta and urine deposited in the water, freshwater snails act as intermediate hosts.

Conserving Land, Protecting Water

Conserving Land, Protecting Water
Author: Deborah Bossio
Publisher: CABI
Total Pages: 253
Release: 2008
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1845933877

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The degradation of land and water resources as a result of agricultural activity has had an enormous impact on human societies and economies. It is predicted that, by 2025, most developing countries will face physical or economic water scarcity, compounded by land degradation. In order to alleviate this problem, an advanced understanding of the state of our water resources and the relationships between land use, water management and social systems is needed. Conserving Land, Protecting Water includes an overview of global patterns of land and water degradation and discusses new insights drawn from successful case studies on reversing soil and water degradation and their impact on food and environmental security.

A review of management strategies for salt-prone land and water resources in Iran

A review of management strategies for salt-prone land and water resources in Iran
Author: Asad Sarwar Qureshi
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2007-11-16
Genre: Soils, Salts in
ISBN: 9290906812

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Approximately half of the irrigated area of Iran falls under different types of salt-affected soils and average yield losses may be as high as 50 percent. Slightly and moderately salt-affected soils are mostly found on the piedmonts at the foot of the Elburz (Alborz) Mountains in the northern part of the country. The soils having severe to extreme salinity are predominantly located in the Central Plateau, the Khuzestan and Southern Coastal Plains and the Caspian Coastal Plain. The process of salinization of the surface water resources is mainly due to natural conditions, and to a lesser extent, to the discharge of drainage water into the river systems. Estimates show that about 6.7 km3 of brackish water flow annually through 12 major rivers. There is no straightforward solution to the complex problems of salt-induced soil and water resources degradation in Iran. The approaches addressing the management of these resources need to be multidimensional and must take into account biophysical and environmental conditions of the target areas as well as livelihood aspects of the associated communities.

How pro-poor are participatory watershed management projects?: An Indian case study

How pro-poor are participatory watershed management projects?: An Indian case study
Author: Kurian, Mathew, Dietz, T.
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2005
Genre: Poor
ISBN: 9290906006

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This report draws on a survey and case study evidence from 28 watershed management groups in Haryana to argue that participatory watershed management projects need not necessarily safeguard the interests of poorer rural households.