| LAND
DEGRATION: Issues and Constraints |
|
|
Conditions
for crop production in Central Asia have deteriorated considerably,
resulting in significant areas of irrigated land being affected
by high levels of salinity and rising water tables. This has
led to crop yield losses exceeding 30%. In Central Asia, 47.5%
of the irrigated land is affected by salinization, ranging
from 95.9% in Turkmenistan to 11.5% in Kyrgyzstan. It is estimated
that in the Central Asian Republics 289,000 hectares are affected
by medium to high salinity levels. Declining agronomic productivity
associated with salinization and elevated water tables have
contributed to the development of endemic poverty in rural
agrarian based communities in the region. These poor communities
have to grapple with reduced incomes and livelihood insecurity. |
|
| |
|
|
