On 31 August 2021, the first day of the two-day “IOFS Training Program within the framework of Water Hub for West African and Central Asian Member Countries”, IOFS organized jointly with the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU) with the support of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The IOFS Director General H.E. Yerlan A. Baidaulet and Rector of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University H.E. Tlektes I. Yespolov.
Training hosted by the modern facilities of «Water HUB» at KazNARU with the physical participation of representatives of governmental and research institutions of Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, and with online participation of representatives from African member-countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana.
The principal aim of the two-day training program is the exchange of best practices and technical expertise in sustainable water resources management for food and water security, and to strengthen partnerships among member countries to address key challenges in water resources management.
The Training Programme was opened by the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Rizoi Sulaymon Ziezoda. IOFS Director General H.E. Yerlan A. Baidaulet and Rector of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University H.E. Tlektes I. Yespolov.
In the first part of the day, the participants visited the Regional Water Hub Unit at KAZNARU, as well as demonstrations of technologies, know-how, and advanced research infrastructure within the premises of the KAZNARU.
During the second and third sessions, discussions were around the improvement and implementation of the hydropower complex, as well as advanced environmental-oriented solutions and innovations in water management.
The speakers were focusing on 1) Factors affecting water and land use in irrigated areas and measures to improve them, 2) Land degradation and water erosion in Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan's experience on drip irrigation technology in the greenhouse and possible application in Africa, 3) Water Hub Unit at KazNARU: Research Direction and Results. 4) Study of the technology of lifting water from wells using a pneumatic vacuum (airlift) pumping unit for pasture irrigation. 5) And the application of irrigation technology in arid zones of Tajikistan.
The second part of the event will be held on 1 September to discuss innovative solutions in integrated water resources management in Central Asia, sustainable desalination issues, and modern approaches in Central Asia.
