Regenerative agriculture was the focus of discussions in Ashgabat

On February 21, 2025, the Yyldyz hotel hosted a of the «Six Inches of Soil» documentary film screening and panel discussion on regenerative agriculture and sustainable soil management in Turkmenistan. The event, co-organized by the FAO/GEF Regional Project «Integrated natural resources management in drought-prone and salt- affected agricultural production systems in Central Asia and Turkey» (CACILM-2), the British Embassy in Turkmenistan, and the Ministry of Environment Protection of Turkmenistan, brought together about 30 people from relevant government agencies, international environmental projects, Civil Society Organizations, and media representatives.

The event was opened with welcoming remarks and wishes for active participation and maximum benefit from the event by:

• Mr. Stephen Conlon, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Turkmenistan,
• Meretdurdy Bayramov, Head of the International Projects Coordination Department of the Ministry of Environment Protection of Turkmenistan,
• Rahmanberdi Khanekov, National Manager of the FAO Regional Project «Integrated natural resources management in drought-prone and salt- affected agricultural production systems in Central Asia and Turkey» (CACILM-2), and
• Ms. Thorunn Wolfram Petursdottir, Senior Land and Water Officer, FAO Global Soil Partnership (GSP) Secretary (online).

The participants were then immersed in a screening of the inspiring and informative 90-minute documentary «Six Inches of Soil», which tells the story of young British farmers about their regenerative journey to heal the soil, protect people’s health, restore biodiversity, and help transform the food system standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way of food production.

In the second part of the event, Eldar Latypov, an employee of the British Embassy in Turkmenistan, moderated a panel discussion on regenerative agriculture and sustainable soil management. Presentations were delivered online by four experts in this field from the UK on the transformation of food systems; the advantages and disadvantages of using the regenerative agriculture approach in the UK; lessons from African countries and Brazil in upscaling and farmer adoption of regenerative climate smart agriculture practices; and natural processes for cleaner water. Additionally, Rahmanberdi Khanekov gave a presentation offline on FAO’s strategic activities on soil restoration, agroecology and effective land management in Turkmenistan.

Following the speakers’ presentations, the moderator conducted a Q&A session and an open discussion, during which questions were raised and words of appreciation were expressed for the interesting meeting. Berkeli Atayev, Director of the «Tebigy Kuwwat» Public Association Enterprise and representative of the Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan, wished the organizers success in this much-needed event for the agricultural sector and announced the upcoming 2nd Regional Organic Expo – 2025 Forum in Almaty this September. He suggested that Turkmenistan’s participation in the Forum, which will include a fair of organic agricultural products, would be beneficial.

At the conclusion of the agenda, the organizers thanked all participants for their attendance and expressed hope for continued cooperation.

Berkeli Atayev.