IAEA to help Uzbekistan combat soil salinization

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), together with the Soil Composition, Repository and Quality Analysis Center under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, has launched a joint research project aimed at developing sustainable farming methods and reducing soil salinity.

As part of the initiative, a five-year field experiment will be carried out in Uzbekistan using a cotton–wheat–corn crop rotation system with the application of polyhalite – an innovative natural mineral fertilizer rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

The use of modern technologies is expected to improve soil fertility, boost crop yields, and provide farmers with practical recommendations.

The project represents an important step in strengthening scientific and practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and the IAEA and will make a significant contribution to addressing one of the country’s key environmental challenges – soil salinization.

It should be noted that the expansion of cooperation in this area was discussed during the meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Tashkent in December 2024.