8th INTERNATIONAL WHEAT CONFERENCE

PLANT geNeTIC ReSouRCeS IN CeNTRAL ASIA ANd The
CAuCASuS
Zakir Khalikulov 1 , Bayan Alimgazinova 2 ,
Jamin Akimaliev 3 , Zebinisso Muminshoeva 4 ,
Ashir Saparmuradov 5 , Agvan Saakyan 6 ,
Zeynal Akparov 7 , Guram Alexidze 8
1 ICARDA, CAC Regional Program, Tashkent 100000, Uzbekistan
2 ”KAZAGROINNOVATSIYA”, Kazakhstan
3 Kyrgyz Research Institute of Agriculture, Kyrgyzstan
4 PGR Center of Tajikistan
5 Academy of Sciences, Turkmenistan
6 Research Center of Agrobiotechnology, Armenia
7 Institute of Genetic Resources, Azerbaijan
8 Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Georgia
E-mail Address of presenting author: Z.Khalikulov@cgiar.org
Central Asia and the Caucasus Region (CAC) covers Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in Central Asia, and Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in
the Caucasus. The region is rich in agrobiodiversity of many important crop and horticultural
species known to man. However, the region’s rich agro-biodiversity is under threat.
Genetic erosion is occurring at an alarming pace due to introduction of uniform new
varieties that replace endemic forms, a trend towards mono-cropping and a reduction in
the traditional diversified farming systems, degradation of arable land due to intensification
of cropping without adequate use of rotations, improper management of soil and
other inputs, salinization of soils caused by inappropriate irrigation practices, pollution
of the environment (water, soil, air) due to the inappropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides,
over-harvesting from natural habitats, especially with respect to medicinal and
aromatic plants, recurrent periods of drought which are likely to become more frequent
or prolonged as a result of global warming and climate change, and retreat of the Aral sea
which is a major environmental disaster for the whole region. Until the collapse of the
former Soviet Union in 1991, all plant genetic resources (PGR) activities were centrally
planned and managed by the N.I. Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry (VIR).
Since then, dramatic changes took place in PGR conservation activities in the CAC countries.
Contacts with VIR broke down, and thus VIR’s activities ceased in the region. Furthermore,
weak communications among the countries and the absence of a coordinated
and regional approach to the sustainable use of natural resources are having a negative
impact on the environment and remain a barrier to the development of effective PGR
conservation measures. The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry
Areas (ICARDA) and the Bioversity International have been active in the region since
1999. In 1999, the Central Asian and Transcaucasian Network on PGR (CATCN-PGR)
was established. Despite an excellent framework concept, this initiative has had limited
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