Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Uzbekcosmos Agency has initiated satellite monitoring of salinized lands to assess the scale of the issue and identify effective solutions.

Soil salinization is the accumulation of dissolved salts in the upper layers of soil, negatively impacting vegetation growth and agricultural productivity. This phenomenon is caused by various factors, including climatic conditions, water usage patterns, soil composition, and geological processes.

Today, global climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and increasing soil salinization pose serious threats not only to the environment but also to sustainable economic development and future generations. As a result of desertification, vast areas in many countries are becoming unsuitable for use.

In Uzbekistan, 1,746,600 hectares of land are affected by salinization, including 65,200 hectares classified as highly salinized, 439,400 hectares as moderately salinized, and 1,242,000 hectares as slightly salinized. The catastrophic consequences of the Aral crisis have resulted in the formation of a salt desert covering more than 5.5 million hectares.

Soil salinization leads to reduced fertility, water imbalance, loss of minerals and micronutrients, decreased irrigation efficiency, and increased erosion, contributing to large-scale environmental issues. According to the 2024 FAO report Global Status of Salt-Affected Soils, Uzbekistan ranks among the top ten countries with the highest percentage of salinized land, reaching 70%.

To address this problem, Uzbekcosmos has launched the project Determining Soil Salinity Levels Using Satellite Images in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The project aims to enhance data collection, analysis, and dissemination through remote sensing technologies, geographic information systems (GIS), and artificial intelligence. This will optimize land resource management, food security, and agriculture in Uzbekistan.

For testing purposes, 90 agricultural plots in the Zarbdar district of Jizzakh region and surrounding areas were selected. Experts are analyzing soil salinity levels using satellite data, conducting laboratory research, and performing detailed soil composition assessments. This will allow for the creation of accurate salinity maps, identification of the most fertile lands for agriculture, and provision of up-to-date information to farmers on the condition of their land. Ultimately, the project will contribute to the efficient allocation of water and land resources and the implementation of effective agro-technical practices based on regional soil and climate conditions.

In 2024, Uzbekcosmos conducted space monitoring in the Fergana, Andijan, Namangan, Tashkent, Jizzakh, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, and Kashkadarya regions. As a result, 967,000 hectares of wheat fields and 597,000 hectares of cotton fields were identified. Additionally, from January to October, observations in eight regions of the country recorded 56,521 hectares of unused agricultural land and 27,266 cases of reserve land development covering a total area of 86,107 hectares.

Uzbekcosmos plans to further expand land monitoring and management projects in collaboration with international space agencies and specialized organizations. In the current Year of Environmental Protection and the "Green" Economy, such initiatives are becoming increasingly important for the country’s sustainable development.