Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has donated a modern EM38-MK2 Ground Conductivity Meter to the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers – National Research University (TIIAME NRU).

The device will serve as a vital tool for assessing soil and water quality in areas affected by environmental challenges.

The handover of the equipment is part of a joint FAO–UNDP project aimed at expanding the knowledge and skills of local communities in the Aral Sea region to address environmental problems through innovative approaches to managing air quality, land, and water resources.

“This advanced device makes it possible to accurately and rapidly measure soil electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility. This is particularly important for scientific irrigation planning, efficient land use, and the development of ecosystem restoration measures,” emphasized Abdumalik Namozov, the project’s national coordinator.

The use of the EM38-MK2 will open up new opportunities for field monitoring and enhance the quality of scientific research in environmental studies.

The instrument allows for non-contact measurement of soil electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility at depths of up to 1.5 meters. This will make it possible to quickly and with high precision determine soil salinity levels, moisture content, and the geological characteristics of subsurface layers.

The application of the EM38-MK2 in agricultural practice and soil science will significantly improve the assessment of soil and water resources in the region.

In turn, this will enable the development of more accurate and effective strategies to overcome environmental challenges associated with land degradation and water scarcity.

The transfer of such advanced equipment as the EM38-MK2 marks an important step in tackling environmental issues and introducing sustainable practices in Uzbekistan’s regions that are facing environmental difficulties.

The project continues to strengthen scientific cooperation and build the capacity of local specialists, ensuring a sustainable future for the ecosystems of the Aral Sea region.