Abundant Greenery Thriving on Lofty Slope Terrains
In the heart of Tajikistan, the Zarafshan Valley is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The region, once plagued by poor harvests and environmental challenges, is now witnessing lush green vegetable gardens on steep slopes and thriving apple, walnut, and apricot trees on the mountainside.
The change is the result of a collaborative effort between farmers and organisations like Welthungerhilfe, which is currently supporting over 5,500 vulnerable households in the districts of Panjakent and Ayni. Romy Lehns, Welthungerhilfe's Country Director in Tajikistan, acknowledges the potential of the agricultural sector in the Zarafshan Valley.
Previously, the valley's dry soil and the unstable nature of its terrain posed significant challenges. Trees and plants were often unrooted and slid down the cliffs, and avalanche risks were on the rise due to soil erosion. However, with the introduction of location-appropriate seeds and a larger variety of fruit and vegetable plants, these issues are becoming a thing of the past.
The farmers in the Zarafshan Valley have been taught innovative and environmentally-friendly agricultural methods. They are now adept at practices such as crop rotation, fruit tree cultivation, composting, organic fertilization, and integrated pest control. Furthermore, they have learned how to prevent landslides by installing lynchets and contoured gardens.
Inefficient cultivation methods are no longer a problem in the Zarafshan Valley. The farmers, taking great pride in their gardens, are reaping the benefits of their new skills. Harvest yields have increased, and families are enjoying a fresher, more balanced, and vitamin-rich diet.
The transformation of the Zarafshan Valley is not just about improved agriculture. It's about implementing nature-based, low-impact techniques that enhance soil retention, water management, and vegetation cover. These methods, such as terracing, use of native vegetation, contour planting and swales, mulching with organic materials, and small check dams and rock barriers, are aimed at improving water use efficiency, climate resilience, and sustainable crop production.
As the Zarafshan Valley continues to evolve, efforts to reforest the land and stabilise the slopes are underway. The past practice of cutting down forests for firewood by residents has contributed to soil erosion, but with these new practices, the valley is on the path to a greener and more sustainable future.
- Embracing innovation in both environmental-science and gardening, the farmers in the Zarafshan Valley have mastered sustainable practices like crop rotation, composting, and terracing, which not only benefit their home-and-garden produce but also contribute to the region's reforestation efforts and soil retention.
- The transformation of the Zarafshan Valley's agricultural landscape is impeccably aligned with the principles of lifestyle and science, as the region's farmers now epitomize the harmonious coexistence of nature and human needs, fostering lush gardens, thriving orchards, and a greener, more sustainable future.
