Trends in the Agriculture of Central Asia and Implications for Rangelands and Croplands

During the first years of independence all Central Asian countries focused their policies on a maximum increase of wheat grain production. In Kazakhstan this strengthened farm economies, while in other countries it was a step towards self-sufficiency in wheat grain production. However, this single-crop production strategy had an obvious negative impact on crop diversification, including the production of feed and forage crops, as well as oilseeds, pulses and sugar beets. The governments of most Central Asian countries seemed to be concerned with wheat and cotton production while the livestock industry long remained a neglected sector, left to household plots. In recent years, the livestock industry has gained more support from the governments, but livestock productivity may only be improved when measures to improve rangeland management and increase forage production are undertaken. In this respect it is the right time to change policies towards supporting rangeland improvement and integrated crop and livestock production. This will also improve long-term soil conservation.