An ambitious five-year project on integrated natural resources management in drought-prone and salt-affected areas is on its way to take-off, thanks to US$ 11 million in financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The FAO project will assist Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan in tackling challenges related to desertification, land degradation and drought, climate change, and biodiversity.

“Drought is a common and recurrent feature of the climate in Central Asia,” said FAO land and water officer Ines Beernaerts. “The frequency and severity of droughts have been increasing in the region over the past 30 years and this trend is likely to continue.”

In salt-affected landscapes, where conventional crops fail to achieve satisfactory yield rates, production systems and markets need to be adjusted, and effective government policies can make a difference in ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods.