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South Korea helps Uzbek locals build climate-smart farming success in desert land, after Aral Sea crisis

한국, 기후스마트 농업 혁신과 직업훈련 통해 우즈베키스탄 아랄해 위기 대응에 나선다

This year marks 30 years since Korea set up an office of its foreign aid agency in Uzbekistan for development assistance.
Celebrating this milestone, a team of reporters explored how Korea is helping build resilience against the harsh impact of climate change.
Our Oh Soo-young was there.

Formerly the world's fourth largest lake with a vibrant fishing industry, the once vast waters of the Aral Sea are now known as the "Ship Cemetery."
Over 60 years, due to Soviet cotton farming projects that consumed its rivers, the Aral Sea is now just a tenth of what it was.
Trade and livelihoods dried up with the ecosystem.

“There used to be plenty of food here. There were many sturgeon, and we could get caviar. After the Aral Sea dried up, many moved away.”

The surrounding Republic of Karakalpakstan constitutes over a third of Uzbekistan's land mass, but less than 6 percent of the population lives here.
Desertification has led to frequent salt, sand, and dust storms, making it broadly inhospitable for people and vegetation.


"Heavily salinated and covered in sodium flying in from the Aral Sea, this is now basically a wasteland. Even weeds are unable to grow here."

But recently, sprigs of hope are changing the barren landscape.
Since 2021, the Korea International Cooperation Agency has funded the Global Green Growth Institute to help four districts of Karakalpakstan overcome the impact of climate disasters.
Under the four-year program, nearly 18-thousand people have been trained in climate-smart farming methods, with six targeted models designed by the GGGI.
One solution is planting windbreak trees, to shield fields and crops from salt-laden winds.
Drip irrigation, and new hose-reel sprinkler systems provided through Korean funds save water and improve soil quality.

"We've been farming the same way for the last 45 years. The Aral Sea's growing impact has been long known, but until now, there wasn't enough interest in finding a solution. "

His field is now part of that solution, growing over 600 thousand windbreak seedlings to help other farms prosper across the region.

Korean support has also helped new farmers set up shop.
Partnering with Nukus City's Monocenter, GGGI developed training for 40 unemployed residents, with 1.2 billion Uzbek Som, or over 96-thousand dollars, funding greenhouse crop production.
One graduate in her thirties has scaled her home farm to a 1-hectare greenhouse business, producing tomatoes and cucumbers for export.

"As much as my knowledge grew tenfold, my revenue's grown tenfold too. I was able to expand my business. Now I have 70 to 80 employees."

Separately, the GGGI provided training and equipment for 16 women with disabilities to help them set up small greenhouse spaces in their homes.

Looking ahead, KOICA and GGGI are ensuring sustainable finance for future projects nationwide, working with two major local banks to issue over 1 billion U.S. dollars in green bonds, listed on the London Stock Exchange

"We supported the creation of a Green Finance framework where funds can only be used for designated purposes. This ensures that the capital will be invested long-term in Uzbekistan’s green sectors, including Climate-Smart Agriculture."

Helping increase climate resilience, and the quality of life and jobs, South Korea is working on the ground to bring winds of change for a sustainable future.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News, Nukus.

#ClimateAction #KOICA #Uzbekistan #아랄해위기 #기후스마트농업 #직업훈련 #ArirangNews #아리랑뉴스

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2025-09-01, 10.00 (KST)