Climate change and the deterioration of land conditions require farmers in Kyrgyzstan to adapt to new conditions. In an interview with a VB.KG journalist, Roza Orozakunova, head of the Laboratory for Agricultural Resource Research in Central Asia at KNAU, candidate of biological sciences, and associate professor, explained why the results of soil laboratory analysis are becoming more important than weather forecasts for farmers. She noted that according to current legislation, agrarians must conduct agrochemical analysis of their lands at least once every five years.
According to Orozakunova, changes in climatic conditions in recent years pose a serious threat to the agricultural sector. Increasing average annual temperatures, frequent droughts, uneven distribution of precipitation, and extreme weather events significantly affect soils and, consequently, crop yields. In such conditions, systematic monitoring of soil conditions and a scientific approach to its use become particularly important.
In the laboratory led by Orozakunova, farmers can conduct a comprehensive analysis of soil samples collected from their fields. The research allows for the determination of seven key indicators necessary for an adequate assessment of soil fertility and its resilience to climate changes.
One of the main factors is the content of humus, which is the foundation of soil fertility and critically important for retaining moisture and nutrients. In a changing climate, humus acts as a "buffer," mitigating the negative effects of droughts and sharp temperature fluctuations. The soil's availability of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, including their mobile forms that are most accessible to plants, is also analyzed. This data helps accurately determine how well the soil can provide plants with the necessary resources under stress conditions.
Additionally, using field methods, the mechanical composition of the soil is determined, which affects water regime, aeration, and erosion resistance. Given the frequency of heavy rainfall and wind erosion, this parameter becomes particularly important when choosing agricultural technologies.
Orozakunova also emphasized that they fully support the Ministry of Agriculture's decision to regularly conduct agrochemical soil analysis at least once every five years. Such monitoring allows for the timely detection of nutrient deficiencies, prevention of soil degradation, and proper selection of types and rates of fertilizers. In the context of climate change, this approach becomes vital for maintaining the productivity of agricultural lands.
In addition to diagnostics, it is important to continuously work on improving soil fertility and implementing effective agricultural technologies, such as the use of organic fertilizers, minimal soil cultivation, crop rotations, green manures, and precision agriculture. All these measures contribute to the accumulation of humus, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and increased resilience of agroecosystems to climate risks.
Thus, soil analysis today is not only a means of assessing the current state of fields but also a strategic foundation for adapting agriculture to climate change, preserving fertility, and ensuring food security in the long term. At the stage of Kyrgyzstan's transition to organic farming, this becomes a necessary step for all farmers," concluded Roza Orozakunova.
