BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 12
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
EU-UNESCO analyzed the state of skill development in agriculture and irrigation in Karakalpakstan Republic, Khorezm, Bukhara and Surkhandarya regions in Uzbekistan, Trend reports referring to the press service of UNESCO.
A two-day national seminar within the framework of the project on the development of skills for employment in rural areas of Uzbekistan with the participation of national experts from all over the country has started on January 11.
The seminar is supported by the European Union, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan.
The aim of the seminar is to present and discuss the preliminary results of a needs assessment and analysis of the state of skill development in agriculture and irrigation in four selected regions of Uzbekistan, the latest advances in agricultural education and training provided for by presidential decrees, and to demonstrate the structure of the project launch report.
Head of the EU Cooperation Unit and Head of UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan stressed the importance of the project for improving the well-being of the population of Uzbekistan and modernizing agriculture.
UNESCO's experts presented preliminary results of a needs assessment and analysis of the state of skills development in agriculture and irrigation, and laid the foundation for a constructive and fruitful national dialogue.
During the meeting, it was noted that global climate change, population growth and the development of sectors of the economy of Uzbekistan cause an annual increase in their demand for water, as a result of which the shortage of water resources increases from year to year. Over the past 15 years, per capita water availability has declined from 3,048 cubic meters to 1,589 cubic meters.
In July 2020, the European Union (EU) allocated 9.6 million euros for the project on development of skills for employment in rural areas of Uzbekistan, which will be implemented by UNESCO in the period 2020-2024. The project will contribute to improving the quality, relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the system of advanced training in agriculture and irrigation in four regions of Uzbekistan.
The initiative is coordinated with the Uzbekistan Agriculture Modernization Project, which was launched on December 20, 2019 by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agency for the Implementation of Projects in the Agro-Industrial Complex and Food Supply of Uzbekistan (UZAIFSA).
In addition, UNESCO will continue to assist in the development, testing and testing of new initiatives and approaches, including the training of teachers and trainers in the agriculture and irrigation sectors. It was noted that the assistance provided is expected to help scale up cross-cutting practices, high-tech agriculture and food processing, and innovative approaches across the country.
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