Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — An important step has been taken in ensuring the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems and improving soil fertility. Within the framework of FAO's project "Sustainable Forest and Rangelands Management in the Dryland Ecosystems of Uzbekistan" a modern gas chromatograph was provided to the Bukhara Regional Branch of the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemical Research. This advanced laboratory equipment enables the detection of pesticides, herbicides, and other toxic substances in agricultural products and soil composition.

This FAO project aims to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems in arid regions, prevent soil degradation, improve ecosystem services, and enhance the safety of agricultural products. Improving the agroecological environment, rational use of land and forest resources, and developing sustainable agriculture in drought-prone areas of Uzbekistan are among the priority directions of this project.

The gas chromatograph provided as part of this initiative in Bukhara region serves to increase the sustainability of agroecosystems by ensuring quality analysis of soil and plant products. Reliable data identified using modern equipment will enable farmers, scientists, and agroeconomic specialists to provide scientifically-based recommendations for effective land resource management.

Importance and Application of the Gas Chromatograph

In modern agriculture, pesticides and other agrochemicals are widely used to increase plant resistance to diseases and pests. However, their excessive or improper use can lead to contamination of soil and water resources, threaten the ecological safety of agricultural products, and cause harm to human health. Therefore, the gas chromatograph provided with FAO support plays an important role in ensuring agroecological safety, controlling levels of harmful chemical substances, and ensuring the ecological purity of agricultural products.

With this laboratory equipment:

• Pesticide and herbicide content in soil is analyzed;
• Ecological safety of plant products is determined;
• The impact of chemical substances on soil fertility is studied;
• A scientific basis is created for developing agrotechnologies that do not harm ecosystems.

During the event, FAO specialists, scientists from the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemical Research, and representatives of the agricultural sector conducted lectures and presentations about the importance of modern laboratory technologies in protecting soil from degradation and improving the quality of agricultural products.

The event was also attended by representatives from the Conscious Planet - Save Soil movement. Rajagopal Sujatha, Coordinator for Russia and CIS regions, and Almagul Mamadaliyeva participated in the handover ceremony, highlighting the importance of soil conservation and analysis in sustainable agriculture. Their presence underscored the growing collaboration between international soil conservation initiatives and scientific institutions in Uzbekistan.

The gas chromatograph provided for Bukhara region is expected to stimulate the development of laboratories for analyzing soil and plant product composition throughout the country in the future. This will be one of the important steps towards developing sustainable agriculture and protecting ecosystems.

FAO, together with partner organizations, plans to continue efforts to widely implement eco-sustainable agricultural technologies in Uzbekistan, sustainable management of pastures and forests, prevention of soil degradation, and protection of agroecosystems.