Japanese Technology and Partnership Transform Aral Sea Region, Creating Model for Future Cooperation

October 10, 2025
UNDP Uzbekistan

Nukus, Karakalpakstan, October 6-7, 2025 – Ms. Uno Kimi, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Uzbekistan, completed a two-day visit to remote communities in Karakalpakstan, meeting residents whose lives have been transformed by the UNDP project "The Project for Supporting Self-reliance through Climate-resilient Agriculture in the Aral Sea Region”, funded by the Government of Japan. "I am delighted to see how the project has changed people's lives for the better. We look forward to continuing our cooperation to support livelihoods in this region," stated Ms. Uno Kimi.

The visit began with a meeting with Mr. Farkhod Ermanov, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Both parties discussed the results of their cooperation: the Chairman noted tangible improvements in people's lives thanks to Japanese climate-resilient technologies. Ms. Uno Kimi expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing that the project exemplifies effective partnership, and confirmed readiness for continued cooperation.

Following the meeting, the program included the opening ceremony of the renovated branch of School No. 38 in the Kokozek community of Kegeyli district. Schoolchildren in traditional costumes welcomed the distinguished guest. "In winter, the temperature used to drop to 10 degrees, children sat in their jackets and got sick. Now we have a fully renovated building, water supply, solar panels, water desalination producing 500 liters per hour, and new heating," the teacher explains.

Continuing the visit through Kegeyli district, farmer Omirniyaz Toreniyazov from "Sayim Oy" farm guided visitors through his newly established fruit orchard. To strengthen food and economic security, the project supported creation of 10 orchards across pilot districts, each featuring 800 apple and pear seedlings per hectare, a drip irrigation system with pumps drawing water from an artificial pond, and modern sprayers for tree care. "Drip irrigation saves water tenfold – it delivers moisture directly to the tree roots. In our arid climate, the orchard wouldn't survive without this technology," Omirniyaz explains.

At "Borly Oy" farm, the delegation was introduced to the innovative "From Drainage to Growth" system, where Aymurza Kutlimuratov created a closed-cycle water management system. Drainage water is collected in artificial ponds for breeding fish and artemia, then purified through a reverse osmosis system with a capacity of 1,000 cubic meters per day before being distributed through drip irrigation. Solar panels with a capacity of 15 kilowatts provide energy. The result: one hectare of fruit orchard and one hectare of vegetables. "We've turned waste into food and income – a closed cycle where nothing is lost," Aymurza explains.

In the center of Kegeyli district, the program included a visit to "Green Agro Farm Export" LLC, where director Azibek Jumanazarov demonstrated liquid biohumus production from organic waste using California worms. Equipment with a capacity of up to 600 tons of organic fertilizer per year has been installed. "Demand is enormous – farmers line up. We have four permanent jobs, and we help farmers grow crops without chemicals," Azibek shares.

Next – Chimbay district and the corn puff production workshop of entrepreneur Nodira Sultanova. Through the UNDP project, Nodira received a complete production line with a capacity of up to 300 tons of finished products per year from local organic corn. "I dreamed of my own business, but couldn't afford the equipment. Now we produce and sell throughout the district. I have four women working full-time, and we purchase corn from local farmers," Nodira says.

In Pashenttau community, a visit to the reconstructed water treatment station took place. The station, built in 1985, was designed for 100 households with low capacity; now it serves 300 families with a new water supply network. "For forty years we drank salty water from wells, people got sick. Now there's clean water in every home – 1,897 people no longer suffer," an elderly resident shares.

The second day began with a visit to Preschool Institution No. 13 in Nukus district, where the "Johkasou" wastewater treatment system was inspected – the first Japanese technology in the region. "We have 301 children, we use nearly 10 cubic meters of water daily. Previously, we constantly called septic trucks – expensive and harmful to the environment," the director explains. The system with a capacity of 10 cubic meters per day treats wastewater naturally using microorganisms. Treated water is reused for irrigation and technical needs – budget savings and environmental care.

In the center of Nukus district – "Aqamangit" tomato paste production, which created 7 jobs. The program then continued with a visit to Ongarbay Mambetmuratov's workshop where drainpipes and fittings are produced for local construction needs. In Samanbay community, the delegation learned about "OVOP Aral" office (One Village One Product) implementing the Japanese concept of local brand development, and visited "Nukus Balik" smoked fish production facility, where 12 local people work.

In Takyrkol community, the delegation visited: Arzibek Nametov of Asadbek Daniyar farm with his fruit orchard of 800 pear trees and drip irrigation, Gulasal Reymbaeva's apiary where she expanded her hives, and Qorganbay Aytimov, who now provides field cultivation services to neighboring farmers using his motocultivator. The group also observed Kallibek Tleuov's hotbed with year-round vegetable production. The visit concluded with a meeting with Nasiba Joldasbaeva, who established biohumus (vermicompost) production on 100 m² and supports her three children by selling organic fertilizer to local farmers and households.

Every number is a name, a family, a story of a changed life. Achieved results: schoolchildren who no longer freeze; families who drink clean water; women who became entrepreneurs; men who regained their dignity as breadwinners. These success stories are now being replicated across other communities, inspiring similar initiatives and proving that small, well-designed interventions can transform lives and build resilience far beyond the initial project sites.

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