4 September 2025, Tashkent, Uzbekistan – Planting a tree is an act of hope, and in Central Asia, a new wave of green initiatives is turning that hope into action. Two recent activities in Uzbekistan under the “Forest Restoration Improvement for Environmental Development and Sustainability in Central Asia” (FRIENDS) project are powering a sustainable future for the region’s forests. The project is a key component of the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme (FTFP).

Central Asia's forests are vital for mitigating climate change but face threats from deforestation and overgrazing. The FRIENDS project directly addresses these challenges by developing national skills to restore vast areas of forest and other wooded lands, reducing carbon emissions and supporting climate adaptation efforts through innovative tools and practical knowledge.

A new 40 kW solar power plant has been launched at the Makrid Nursery in Kitab, Uzbekistan, representing a significant step towards sustainable forest management. This initiative provides clean, renewable energy for the nursery’s buildings and critical irrigation systems, which are essential for growing seedlings for large-scale restoration efforts.

The solar plant is not only an eco-friendly solution reducing carbon emissions and supporting climate adaptation efforts in the project area, it is also a financially practical one. It is expected to save approximately USD 24 000 in energy costs annually, ensuring the nursery’s long-term operational sustainability. This successful installation serves as a powerful, replicable model for other restoration projects across Central Asia, showcasing how green energy can support green landscapes.

Complementing this technological advancement with on-the-ground expertise, another project activity gathered together more than 30 specialists to participate in a hands-on training programme to establish pistachio (Pistacia vera) seed orchards on Kitab Forest Fund lands. Led by experts from FAO and Türkiye, this training activity provided practical skills crucial to ensure the success of large-scale restoration.

Participants were taught field-applicable techniques encompassing the entire planting and harvesting process, ranging from selecting the healthiest “mother” trees to ensure genetic diversity, to learning the proper methods for collecting, processing and sowing seeds. This training approach strengthens Uzbekistan’s capacity to produce high-quality seeds, reinforces local seed supply chains and builds a solid foundation for ambitious ecosystem rehabilitation projects throughout the region. Cultivating drought-resistant species like pistachio is a key strategy for climate change adaptation, enhancing both environmental and economic resilience.

About the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes

The objectives of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes are to provide support to ensure food security, rural poverty reduction and sustainable forest management; combat desertification; and preserve ecosystems in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and other countries of mutual interest.

Established in 2007, the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP) has benefited from trust fund contributions totalling USD 10 million, financed by the Government of Türkiye and represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. During the first phase of the programme, 28 projects were implemented in 16 countries between 2009 and 2015.

In 2014, Türkiye and FAO commenced the second phase of the FTPP along with the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme (FTFP) with additional funding of USD 20 million, bringing Türkiye’s total contribution to USD 30 million.

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