FAO intensifies efforts to combat wheat rust.

Wheat rust poses a significant cross-border threat to agricultural crops in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The rapid airborne spread of pathogens creates risks for food security and the resilience of agriculture in the region. In response to this challenge, FAO is implementing the CAC-Rust project (CP/SEC/016/TUR) with the support of the FAO-Turkey Partnership Program in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey.

At the opening of the seminar, speeches were delivered by FAO Deputy Representative in Uzbekistan Sherzod Umarov, Director of the National Center for Knowledge and Innovation Shukhrat Otajonov, Head of the Grain Crops Department of the Ministry of Agriculture Abdulla Mansurov, and Director of the Institute of Genetic Resources of Plants Zafarjon Ziyaev. The speakers emphasized the importance of combating rust diseases not only for Uzbekistan but for the entire region.

During the seminar, presentations were made by Turkish experts Suat Kaymak and Mehmet Demir, who shared Turkey's experience in monitoring wheat diseases. Additionally, participants received training on breeding methods for rust-resistant varieties under the guidance of the project’s regional consultant Mahbubjon Rakhmatov and CIMMYT Turkey representative Emrah Koça.

The seminar facilitated the establishment of connections between national and international researchers and provided momentum for the development of a new National Strategy for the fight against wheat rust in Uzbekistan. FAO continues to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening food security and sustainable agriculture in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

The FAO-Turkey Partnership Program aims to ensure food security, reduce poverty in rural areas, promote sustainable forest management, and protect ecosystems in Central Asia and beyond. Since its launch in 2007, the program has received funding of $30 million with the support of the Turkish government.