UNDP in Turkmenistan has handed over two sets of equipment for laser levelling of agricultural land to the district administration of Saparmyrat Turkmenbashi in Dashoguz velayat and to the ‘Obahyzmat’ production association in the Darganata etrap of the Lebap velayat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal.

The handover took place as part of a joint project between UNDP and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan on sustainable land management in the Aral Sea basin, supported by the GEF.

The new technology enables fields to be levelled with precision, improving the distribution of irrigation water, reducing soil salinisation and waterlogging, and increasing crop yields.

The equipment will be used on pilot sites, with subsequent roll-out to farmers. Training sessions on how to use the technology have already been held for specialists and local farmers.

The project aims to restore degraded land, conserve ecosystems and introduce sustainable agricultural practices in the region.