“Successors of daikhan traditions advocate for diverse farming enterprises as a solution to the challenges of adapting to climate change in Turkmenistan.”
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project is helping the farmers of “Alay” farm in Dashoguz and “Miwe” agricultural holdings in Ahal region to increase their awareness and capacity in climate change adaptation.
Climate change in Turkmenistan
UNDP highlights that the climate change is having a profound impact on Turkmenistan, with a decline in precipitation and an increase in average annual temperature, resulting in overwhelmingly negative impacts on agriculture. The country is also likely to experience a rising frequency and severity of natural events, such as droughts and dust storms, which can lead to crop failures, loss of grazing land, and environmental degradation. Furthermore, the reduced water availability, particularly in the Amu Darya River, which supplies 90% of Turkmenistan’s economic water needs, poses a significant challenge to agricultural production.
Soil degradation and salinization are also major concerns, particularly in Dashoguz velayat, which is severely impacted by the Aral Sea disaster. As a result, agricultural productivity and yields are declining, with crop yields decreasing by 20-40% on rainfed lands and up to 30% on irrigated areas.
Livestock is also affected by climate change, with heat stress and scarcity of feed impacting dairy and meat production. Moreover, climate change leads to an increase in pests and plant diseases, further threatening agricultural productivity. The broader socio-economic consequences of reduced agricultural production and food availability are also a concern in Turkmenistan, as they can lead to food insecurity, labor market shifts, lifestyle changes, and increased climate-induced migration.
Lucky farmers
According to UNDP, the private “Alay” daikhan farm, owned by Egambergen Allabergenov in the Dashoguz velayat, exemplifies successful adaptation through diversification and the adoption of modern technologies. This farm has a modern fleet of machinery, a cotton processing complex, a cotton-seed oil plant, a bio-laboratory, and a breeding production facility. The farm is managed by the Allabergenovs family with temporary workers hired only in hot periods. Alay farm cultivates a variety of crops, including cotton, dzhugara, sorghum, carrots, onions, potatoes, wheat, mung beans, and alfalfa, as well as melons, and manages an orchard. Their livestock operation includes over 120 cattle. The farm uses a pipe to access low-mineralized runoff from the Daryalyk drainage channel during dry years and enriches the soil with organic matter.
Egambergen Allabergenov – “Alay” daikhan farm owner
The “Miwe” Agricultural Holding, founded in 2019, demonstrates adaptation on a larger scale in the Ahal velayat. The private holding was allocated 1,200 hectares of undeveloped land near the Kaka etrap. Over five years, they have developed orchards and greenhouses, cultivating traditional crops alongside pioneering banana cultivation. They have also expanded into fruit and vegetable processing, offering freeze-dried, dried, and frozen products. The company employs more than 1,300 people and supplies both domestic and international markets. To address the arid climate and limited water resources, “Miwe” constructed a 27.5 km long water supply system drawing water from the Karakum River, including reservoirs with large capacities. They utilize advanced drip irrigation systems and are exploring alternative water sources. They also focus on employee well-being and are creating new job opportunities.
The two farms benefit from state support, including rent-free land for 99 years, preferential bank loans at a 1% annual interest rate, and tax exemptions on profits.
Not so lucky farmers
It is not clear if the national institutions in Turkmenistan have interest and capacity to institutionalize and scale up these efforts. These types of stories do not make it to the state-controlled media. The independent media reports stories of neglect and mismanagement by the state, challenges with payments to the farmers and other structural issues related to outdated methods of governance. The websites of the ministries and government agencies have no information and data on regulatory, institutional, and financial frameworks much needed to foster the development of the agricultural sector. There is no national plan for adaptation. Water-saving methods and technologies must be a number one priority given the arid climate and limited water resources in the country.
