The collaborative efforts of the FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership and the FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia culminated in the organization of a series of training sessions in Central Asian countries. These events, attended by experts with different specializations and backgrounds, offered a practical demonstration of the FAO LEAP guidelinesfor the quantitative assessment of biodiversity in the livestock sector and provided participants with the knowledge to evaluate the impacts of animal production systems on biodiversity.

These guidelines are designed to incorporate biodiversity consideration into environmental assessments, aiming to increase the understanding of the impacts of livestock on biodiversity. They also aim to uncover potential synergies or trade-offs with other environmental criteria and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Purpose of the training

This FAO LEAP training program was designed to mobilize local experts and institutions, fostering their active involvement in providing livestock stakeholders with reliable knowledge and information on biodiversity and other environmental implications of diverse livestock production systems. It also aimed to highlight opportunities to make livestock and agrifood systems more sustainable and environmentally friendly in the region.

Livestock and biodiversity in Tajikistan

Tajikistan, a landlocked mountainous country in Central Asia, boasts a population of around 10 million people. Approximately 75 percent of this population lives in the rural areas and directly depends on agriculture. In this context, the livestock sector plays a fundamental role, significantly contributing to the country's economy and the livelihoods of a large number of families.

About the training

This training initiative in Tajikistan was led by Majid Iravani, FAO LEAP Technical Training Support Specialist, with the support of Yuriy Nesterov, International Livestock Specialist at the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, and Xiangyu Song, Manager of the FAO LEAP Partnership.

Among the participants were experts, scientists, and members of research centers, such as Sukhrob Irgashev, head of Department of Sectoral and Intersectoral Cooperation for the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its protocols with a longstanding commitment to addressing biodiversity concerns in Tajikistan since 2003. Mr Irgashev expressed his contentment with the success of the training and expressed optimism regarding the emergence of new opportunities for continued discussion on these issues, which are fundamental for the country's development.

Trainees of all ages

Among the over 200 people who took part in the training program across various Central Asian countries, the story of Professor Tolibson Irgashev stands out prominently. As the eldest participant, Professor Irgashev, at the age of over 70, voiced the urgency of applying the FAO LEAP guidelines presented during the event within the unique context of Tajikistan. His unwavering commitment to attending and actively participating in the training underscored the significance of continuous learning and adaptation in shaping the future of the livestock sector.

Next steps

Building upon the successful outcomes already achieved in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the series of training sessions in Central Asia is set to continue with scheduled stops in Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. The series demonstrates a growing regional commitment to enhancing knowledge and practices in the livestock sector, ultimately paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Learn more

• The impact of livestock on biodiversity
• FAO LEAP Biodiversity Guidelines
• Preserving biodiversity across Kazakhstan
• Tracing biodiversity impacts of livestock from Kyrgyzstan and beyond