Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In response to the climate emergency of Uzbekistan, the Government of Japan approved provision of funding close to US$1 million (US$956,147) in order to unite the efforts with the United Nations Development Programme and implement a joint project on “Building the climate resilient livelihoods of horticultural producers in Ferghana Valley in Uzbekistan”. 

The project aims at contributing to adaptation of the agriculture to the climate change as well as to achieving the net-zero target through climate-resilient development in Ferghana valley, for example, saving technologies in industry, construction, agriculture and other sectors of the economy, improving productivity of agricultural land and improving the water management system, thereby leveraging Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). 

In the Second NDCs under the Paris Climate Agreement, Uzbekistan increased its commitments more than 300 percent, with plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 35 percent of 2010 levels by 2030, compared to the 10 percent reduction stated in the First NDC. Adaptation measures in the Second NDC cover a wide range of actions aimed at protecting communities from the adverse effects of climate change.

The one-year initiative will be launched in March 2022and implemented in cooperation with the Center of Hydrometeorological Services of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the local partners in the Ferghana Valley.

The project goal will be achieved through enhancing coverage of the agro-meteorological networks in the Ferghana Valley, developing an intelligent operational system for agro-meteo monitoring - based on remote sensing and modern modelling as well as improving reliability of forecasting and early warning systems.

Forecasting and early warning system on the irrigation water availability is critical for the informed decision-making on planting crops. Therefore, the project will target the agro-meteorological information services to the vulnerable communities in the Ferghana Valley employed in the horticulture. Their needs will be addressed by improved observation, forecasting and extension services for climate-resilient production of fruit and vegetables, and introduction of the greater knowledge about climate variability into horticultural planning. 

Such support to the private producers is fundamental and urgent in the context of ensuring that the post-COVID recovery investments are protected from climate risks. It is also expected that the project will have positive spill-over effects on neighboring communities living the Ferghana Valley through strengthened regional cooperation in the exchange of hydrometeorological information from observations in transboundary territories.

Warming trends observed in Uzbekistan since 1951 have been occurring at more than twice the rate of the global average and significant climate risks have already become evident. The situation is particularly severe in the Aral Sea region and in the far-eastern Ferghana valley, where drought, desertification, and extreme seasonal weather, all worsened by climate change, threaten basic well-being and food security. Thus, urgent and well-informed adaptation action in agriculture sector is needed to prevent yield and productivity losses in the agriculture sector, secure livelihoods and food supply of the most vulnerable communities.

The Government of Japan and UNDP continue their longstanding partnership in the country within a wide range of projects and initiatives aimed at supporting the Government reform agenda covering the economic, social and environmental development, and leaving no one behind.