Agricultural Issues Homepage | Links

It is popularly understood that the Soviet approach to agriculture in the Amu and Syr Darya basins, expanded most rapidly from the 1960s forward, is mainly responsible for the overdraft of water resources and the dessication of the Aral Sea.  Other current problems derive from agricultural pursuits in the region, particularly: health related labor issues for farm workers, localized water supply pollution and downstream water pollution issues, and air pollution issues related to the combination of agricultural chemicals use, soil erosion and dessication of the lake.  While there has been change in the amount of agricultural chemicals used – given the reduction in state supply and financial support for input purchases – current agricultural practices continue to create significant environmental harm in the region.  This site section will provide links to information on Central Eurasian agriculture.  In the future, we will add to the site evaluations of particularly problematic or promising agricultural sectors and approaches.