5 July 2021, Tashkent – Equipment for soil analysis with an estimated worth of 400 mln UZS has been handed over to the Tashkent State Agrarian University by FAO Representation in Uzbekistan. The ceremony was held on the occasion of the Youth Day – a holiday celebrated annually on June 30 in Uzbekistan. Enhancing youth education, introducing advanced technologies and foreign experience into the educational process is one of the priorities of cooperation between FAO and the Tashkent State Agrarian University.

     The equipment was donated within the scope of the FAO/GEF CACILM-2 project (Integrated Natural Resources Management in Drought-prone and Salt-affected Agricultural Production Systems in Central Asia and Turkey). Namely, the kit includes photometer, hygrometer, GPS equipment, data storage tablet, soil density and moisture meters, portable pH meter, soil salinity meter and other instruments. The kit is designed to be usedin the soil analysis laboratory for scientific and educational purposes.

     It is a great opportunity for students in soil science, agrochemistry and agronomy to scale up their capacities on soil analysis in field and laboratory conditions as well as to gain new skills on using modern equipment. At the same time, it will increase the efficiency of scientific and research work.

     «Timely and qualitative assessment of the results of measures taken for sustainable land management is very important as well as further improvement of agricultural lands. The use of modern equipment in this laboratory will improve the quality of soil analysis and reduce the time for obtaining results», – noted Mukhammadjon Kosimov, National Project Manager.

     Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan Sherzod Umarov highlighted the significance of cooperation between FAO and Tashkent State Agrarian University, expressing hope that both students and aspirants will benefit from introduction of modern technologies in educational process and scientific research.

     Rector of the Tashkent State Agrarian University Botirjon Sulaimonov expressed his gratitude to the FAO for valuable contribution into improving educational process of the university.

     It was noted that cooperation between the University and the FAO has been consolidating since Uzbekistan joined FAO in 2001. Several successful programmes and projects have been jointly implemented, strengthening scientific and educational capacity of the University staff as well as students, on the basis of the best international practices.