Conservation Agriculture in Eurasia
Authors:   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy, Muminjanov Hafiz , Semenova Tatiana ,   World Food Programme, Kyrgyzstan, Kassam Amir ,   University of Reading, UK, Friedrich Theodor ,   Retired Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Expert on Conservation Agriculture, Germany, Nersisyan Avetik ,   International Plant Protection Convention, Italy, Fileccia Turi ,   formerly Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy, Mkrtchyan Gagik ,   Armenian Technology Group Foundation, Armenia, Zakaryan Armen ,   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Armenia, Jumshudov Imran ,   National Agrarian Research Centre, Azerbaijan, Guliyev Yagub ,   National Agrarian Research Centre, Azerbaijan, Abarava Alena ,   Lyakhovichi State Agricultural College, Belarus, Pineda Burgos Allan ,   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Georgia, Martsvaladze Demna ,   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Georgia, Karabayev Muratbek ,   formerly International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Kazakhstan, Kaseeva Gulnaz ,   Public Organization “AgroLead”, Kyrgyzstan, Mambetov Omurbek ,   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kyrgyzstan, Alibakieva Cholpon ,   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Kyrgyzstan, Boincean Boris ,   Research Institute of Field Crops, Moldova, Rurac Mihail ,   State Agricultural University, Moldova, Bandurin Vadim ,   Association of the Supporters of No-till Planting, Russia, Orlova Luidmila ,   National Movement for Conservation Agriculture, Russia, Toigildin Alexandr ,   Ulyanovsk State Agricultural University, Russia, Safin Khalil ,   Bashkortostan State Agricultural University, Russia, Muminov Muhammadi ,   Cooperative of Agricultural Extension Specialists “Sarob”, Tajikistan, Sangynov Jamshed ,   Cooperative of Agricultural Extension Specialists “Sarob”, Tajikistan, Juraev Shavkat ,   Cooperative of Agricultural Extension Specialists “Sarob”, Tajikistan, Zevarshoev Askarsho ,   Public Organization “Eco Consultancy”, Tajikistan, Kosolap Nicola ,   Ukraine Agrarian University, Ukraine, Davis Oksana ,   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Ukraine, Zhuravel Oleksandr ,   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Ukraine, Draganchuk Michail ,   YouTube channel “No-tiller”, Ukraine, Pulatov Alim ,   Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers, Uzbekistan, Nurbekov Aziz ,   Tashkent State Agrarian University, Uzbekistan, Kienzle Josef ,   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy, Corsi Sandra ,   Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Italy, Gonzalez-Sanchez Emilio J. ,   Universidad de Córdoba, Spain
Published: February 2022

This chapter provides an overview of the current state, challenges and avenues for the further promotion of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in the Eurasia region . There is no unified statistics and data collection system for CA in the region. However, the estimated area under CA is about 10-11 million hectares (ha) while the area of degraded agricultural land is continuously growing. The population increase and raising demand for food, negative impact of unsustainable agricultural production practices to environment along with land degradation, recurrent drought and heat stress due to climate change, and other factors are gradually leading to adoption and promotion of CA in all countries of the region. Despite this, there are still challenges for the widespread implementation of the CA system. Lack or insufficient access to special field equipment and machinery, limited knowledge and skills of local people - farmers, agricultural and extension specialists, inadequate evidence-based results of research work and other factors still play a limiting role in the widespread adoption of CA. In addition to the dissemination of knowledge, techniques and evidence of successful practices, the dissemination and greater adoption of CA in the region requires expanding CA research work and political support to increase the motivation and direct involvement of farmers. Training young specialists and farmers will also help to make a huge breakthrough in the development of CA in the region.