As part of the launch of the practical implementation of the project «Catalyzing Nature-Positive of the Agricultural Sector in Turkmenistan Towards Enhanced Resilience to Climate Change GEF-8 FAO», the Director of the Turkmenistan Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), Mergen Kepbanov, together with the Team Leader of the National Experts, Dovlet Jumagulyyev, and the team of national experts, conducted a working visit to Lebap Velayat.
The mission marked an important milestone in the commencement of on-the-ground project activities. It aimed to strengthen coordination with local authorities, identify pilot sites, and conduct initial field assessments.
On 6 July 2026, the project team arrived in Charjev etrap, where a series of working meetings was held with representatives of the local administration. At the Charjev etrap Hakimlik, the delegation met with Charyyar Mustakov, Head of Administration of the Hakimlik, and Dovlet Hanov, Head of the Department of Agriculture.
During the meeting, the project representatives provided a comprehensive overview of the project's objectives, expected outcomes, and key areas of intervention, with particular emphasis on its practical contribution to the sustainable development of the region’s agricultural sector. The parties discussed coordination mechanisms for project implementation, agreed on the key stages of upcoming activities, and approved the list of pilot sites where demonstration activities will be carried out.
Particular attention during the working visit was devoted to field assessments of the pilot sites. The project team visited the Dayhan Association named after J. Hajiyev,,
The Dayhan Association named after S. A. Niyazov,
The Dayhan Association named after Hakimov,
where the project team held meetings with the chairpersons of the associations — Rozynazar Bashimov, Ravil Shamyradov and Shohrat Seyitkulyyev.
During the meetings, the experts presented the project's main areas of intervention, discussed prospects for cooperation, and, together with the heads of the Dayhan Associations, refined the boundaries of the pilot sites. The discussions focused on the establishment of shelterbelts, the introduction of sustainable water resource management practices, and the development of beekeeping as a means of enhancing the resilience of agricultural ecosystems while diversifying income sources for rural communities.
During the field visits, the project specialists carried out a preliminary assessment of the selected areas and recorded the precise geographical coordinates of the future pilot sites. These data will serve as the basis for the subsequent planning and implementation of project activities.
At the end of the working day, a project team debriefing was held in Turkmenabat under the leadership of Mergen Kepbanov and Dovlet Jumagulyyev. The participants reviewed the outcomes of the meetings and field assessments, discussed the results of the initial phase of activities, and agreed on the next steps for project implementation. Several team members joined the debriefing online, including Leyla Hojamyradova, Climate Specialist, Jahan Orazdurdyyeva, Knowledge Management Specialist, and Orazgul Isgenderova, Assistant at the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan. The participants reviewed the results of the initial field activities, discussed further coordination mechanisms, and agreed on the upcoming activities for the implementation of the project.
As part of the working visit, the project team also met with the Director of the Lebap Velayat Forestry Enterprise to discuss the implementation of the project's forestry component. Particular attention was given to the construction of a modern forest nursery within the forest fund of Charjev etrap, as well as to other project activities aimed at the restoration and sustainable development of forest resources.
In addition, with the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, on 7 of July 2026, a field visit was organized to the “Eraji” Nature Reserve. The mission was attended by Rustem Nuryyev Head of the Flora and Fauna Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, and Bakynazar Babayev. Deputy Head of the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan. During the field visit, the participants familiarized themselves with the area where project activities are planned to be implemented. These activities are aimed at improving the working conditions of state environmental inspectors and enhancing the collection and use of data provided by the Hydrometeorological Service to strengthen the effectiveness of environmental monitoring in protected natural areas.
On 9 July 2026, the working programme continued with a series of technical meetings with relevant state institutions of Lebap Velayat.
On this day, a working meeting was held at the Agrochemical Laboratory of Lebap Velayat of the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, during which issues related to agrochemical support for the project, the organization of soil monitoring, and the implementation of necessary studies at the pilot sites were discussed.
In addition, an extended working meeting was held at the Department of Environmental Protection of Lebap Velayat, with representatives of national partner institutions, including the State Hydrometeorological Service, Land Resources Service and Department of Water Management of Lebap Velayat. During the discussion, the participants reviewed in detail the project components falling within the mandate of each institution, identified mechanisms for inter-agency cooperation, and agreed on the next steps for the practical implementation of project activities at the pilot sites.
Particular attention was given to issues related to data sharing, joint monitoring of climatic conditions, water and land resources, as well as the introduction of modern nature-based and climate-resilient approaches to agriculture aimed at enhancing the resilience of the agricultural sector to climate change.
«The practical implementation of the project begins with close cooperation with local authorities and agricultural producers. It is important for us that all activities are based on the real needs of the territories and are implemented in close partnership with local communities. Joint efforts will enable the introduction of nature-conserving solutions that will contribute to enhancing the resilience of agriculture to climate change and create long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits for the region», noted Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan.
The working visit confirmed the strong interest of local authorities and representatives of the agricultural sector in the implementation of the project. The activities agreed upon during the meetings provide a solid foundation for introducing nature-conserving approaches in Turkmenistan’s agricultural sector, contributing to the increased resilience of agro-landscapes to the impacts of climate change, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the strengthening of environmental security in the region.
Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan
turkmenistan@carececo.org