Lavish Greenery Across Inclined Landscapes
Transforming the Zarafshan Valley: Welthungerhilfe's Sustainable Agriculture Initiative
In the heart of Tajikistan, the Zarafshan Valley is witnessing a remarkable transformation. For years, farmers in the region struggled with poor harvests, dry soil, and a lack of resources and knowledge to fully utilise the agricultural potential of the valley.
However, this narrative is changing thanks to the support of Welthungerhilfe, a global organisation working to end hunger and poverty. According to Romy Lehns, Welthungerhilfe's Country Director in Tajikistan, the agricultural sector in the Zarafshan Valley has immense potential.
Approximately 35,000 people are benefiting from this support, with 5,500 vulnerable households in Panjakent and Ayni districts being directly assisted. Welthungerhilfe is addressing the root causes of the region's agricultural challenges by providing training sessions on innovative and environmentally-friendly methods. Topics covered in these sessions include crop rotation, fruit tree cultivation, composting, organic fertilization, and integrated pest control.
One of the key issues in the Zarafshan Valley has been soil erosion due to deforestation for firewood. To combat this, reforestation and slope stabilization efforts are underway. Welthungerhilfe employs several methods to prevent garden erosion and stabilize slopes. These include terracing, planting vegetation cover, contour farming, and the use of stone bunds or check dams.
Lush vegetable gardens now hug the steep slopes of the valley, a stark contrast to the barren landscapes of the past. The new seeds, trees, and plants grow better in the region, resulting in higher harvest yields. This has led to a fresher, more balanced, and vitamin-rich diet for the farmers, who are now enjoying the fruits of their labour.
Moreover, the introduction of location-appropriate seeds and a wider variety of fruit and vegetable options has significantly improved the diversity of crops grown in the valley. No longer are inefficient cultivation methods a problem, thanks to Welthungerhilfe's support.
The valley's mountainside is now adorned with apple, walnut, and apricot trees, a testament to the success of the initiative. Trees and plants that once regularly came unrooted and slid down the cliffs are now firmly rooted and thriving.
In addition to these efforts, farmers are taught how to prevent landslides that can damage gardens by installing lynchets and contoured gardens. These measures collectively help to stabilize the slopes, improve soil retention, and enhance the productivity of gardens and agricultural land in the region.
The transformation in the Zarafshan Valley is a shining example of how sustainable agriculture can lift communities out of poverty and hunger. As the initiative continues to grow, the valley's future looks greener and brighter than ever before.
The sustainable agriculture initiative by Welthungerhilfe in the Zarafshan Valley is not only improving the lifestyle of farmers by ensuring better harvests but also promoting environmental-science practices such as composting, organic fertilization, and integrated pest control. This home-and-garden project, which includes reforestation efforts and slope stabilization through methods like terracing and planting vegetation cover, is setting an example for a more eco-friendly gardening approach in the region.
