ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 23.
Turkmenistan and FAO reached an agreement on two project documents
focused on accelerating nature-positive reforms in the agricultural
sector to enhance climate resilience, as well as strengthening
Turkmenistan’s capacity to comply with the Enhanced Transparency
Framework under the Paris Agreement, Trend reports via the
press service of the Turkmen Government.


The documents were signed between the Ministry of Agriculture of
Turkmenistan and the representatives of the organization during the
International Conference titled “Health and Nutrition in the
Context of Climate Change,” held on January 22, in Ashgabat.


The conference brought together heads of relevant ministries and
agencies of Turkmenistan, representatives of FAO, the United
Nations Development Program, and other international organizations,
as well as delegations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,
Tajikistan, Iran, and Russia.


Turkmenistan's agricultural sector, responsible for 10-12% of
GDP and a significant share of employment, is transitioning from a
state-controlled, monoculture system to one characterized by
diversification and modernization. Key opportunities are identified
in high-value crops such as vegetables, fruits, and non-traditional
greenhouse farming, especially tomatoes, which saw exports rise by
77% in 2022. Livestock, particularly cattle and poultry, along with
a growing agro-processing industry focused on domestic production,
present further potential.







However, challenges such as water scarcity, exacerbated by
inefficient irrigation and climate change, significantly hinder
progress. The government aims to increase private sector
involvement and international cooperation to enhance technology and
sustainable practices in agriculture, though state control over
significant crops remains a limiting factor.


Earlier, on January 21, an agreement was signed between the
Government of Turkmenistan and FAO on the establishment of a
representative office of the organization and the provision of
technical assistance.


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