Towards Sustainable Food Production for Marginal Lands in Aral and Caspian Sea Basins

Abstract

The Aralo-Caspian lowlands, a prime example of marginal and saline environments, face serious threats to sustaining the ever-growing population and the livelihoods of local farmer groups. Water scarcity and variable climatic conditions have resulted in the use of low-quality, mineralized water for irrigation which has adversely affected agricultural output and farmer incomes, further threatening the fragile balance, Given that most of the commonly cultivated crops, like cotton, wheat, and corn are sensitive to salinity, identifying drought- and heat-tolerant as well as water-use efficient alternative crops is imperative. This will improving agricultural production and sustaining the livelihood of farmers and agropastoralists – especially those dependent on marginal quality land and water resources.