UNDP Uzbekistan

On May 3-5, 2012 the fifth National Fair of Innovative Ideas, Technologies and Projects took place at UzExpoCenter in Tashkent.

At the Innovation Fair, the UNDP Project «Supporting Uzbekistan in transition to a low-emission development path» displayed a stand that demonstrated a comprehensive approach to harnessing energy efficient technologies in agriculture. The key feature was a model of a biogas plant, which is an operational mini-unit that visualized biogas generation process, and a real flare from the gasholder has impressed a lot of visitors. Models of an energy efficient green house (heated by solar energy only) and a “passive” house (using 20 times less energy than a conventional house) were other marvels that captured the visitors’ attention as well. All the interested visitors learned in detail about demonstrated technologies from information materials, videos and booklets.

To present advantages of bio fertilizer, an organic byproduct from biogas production, the project seeded wheat in two baskets: one in which bio fertilizer was introduced and another one was just watered. The outcome of this “piloting” raised great interest of farmers and agricultural specialists, who recognized clear and visible benefits of organic fertilizer.

On the first day of the fair, the project stand attracted the senior government officials, who visited the event – Deputy Prime-Minister, Mr. Gulomjon Ibragimov, and Minister of Economy, Ms. Galina Saidova. They emphasized that the demonstrated green and energy efficient technologies are important for promoting the low-emission development of national economy.

In general, during the fair the project team established useful contacts with the interested organizations and shared project experiences on green activities in Uzbekistan. Farmers and students interested in biogas were invited to an introductory seminar to be held at the Demonstration Center on Biogas Technologies in Syrdarya province that is established by the UNDP Project «Supporting Uzbekistan in transition to a low-emission development path» jointly with the GEF Small Grants Programme.