UNDP Delivers Mobile Lab for Sustainable Farming in Aral Sea Region
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supplied mobile laboratory equipment to the Karakalpak Republican Centre for Agricultural Services under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture. The project equips farmers in the Aral Sea region with tools to adapt to climate change and build a more sustainable agroecosystem.
Farming Challenges
Farmers here struggle with saline soils, erratic weather and lack of soil data. Until now, samples had to be sent to laboratories with results taking weeks, leaving farmers unable to respond quickly.
Dr Abdurashid Mirzambetov of the International Innovation Centre for the Aral Sea Basin said that without proper diagnostics, farmers work «blindly,» leading to poor yields and land degradation.
Rapid Field Diagnostics
The mobile lab changes this by delivering soil results in 15–20 minutes. It measures acidity, salinity, temperature and nutrients, showing which crops are best suited and when to irrigate. Precise salinity checks also allow experts to recommend salt-tolerant crops and land improvement methods.
Specialists have been trained to operate the lab and provide tailored advice.
«The mobile laboratory is a long-term investment in sustainable farming. It enables science-based, plot-specific recommendations to raise quality and meet global standards,» said Mr B Annakulov, Director of the Centre.
The initiative supports Uzbekistan’s Agricultural Development Strategy 2020–2030 and forms part of a UNDP programme funded by the Russian Federation.
