Nukus, Uzbekistan, May 22, 2024 – Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) jointly with the International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea Basin (IICAS), organized a training on microgreens management for 16 women with disabilities, who were recommended by the “Inson” Nukus Social Center. The training combined both theory and practical activities for the participants to be engaged in. A month later, the GGGI Team, along with an expert on Microgreens, visited the homes of the participants to deliver the necessary equipment for in-house microgreen management and provide instructions on the usage. 

The microgreens cultivation training was chosen specifically for women with disabilities for a number of reasons, but first, what are microgreens. Microgreens are young nutrient-rich vegetable greens that can be easily grown in small spaces, including people’s homes. This is ideal for individuals with limited mobility compared to traditional farming, which involves heavy lifting and extensive outdoor work. Moreover, microgreens can be sold at local markets and cafes, providing a potential source of income and a viable home-based business opportunity for the women, contributing to their financial independence, especially given the minimal equipment and resources needed for microgreens cultivation.  

Besides, growing microgreens indoors protects them from harsh weather, pests, and other factors that affect traditional agriculture, making it a more resilient agricultural practice in the face of climate change and environmental crises. Thus, by cultivating microgreens at home, these women can improve their household nutrition and food security while actively participating in sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture. GGGI and IICAS’s joint training included all the abovementioned information.  

Ms. Roza Mishenova, Senior Nurse at the Ministry of Health, held the first session on the topic of health and climate change, tailored specifically for local women. The participants were informed of climate change in the Aral Sea region, its impact on people’s health, disease prevention in the face of water and air quality deterioration.   

Mr. Tajetdin Asamatdinov, Head of the Information and Communication Technologies Department at IICAS, conducted a presentation on accelerating green business, climate-resilient agriculture, useful platforms to start an agribusiness, as well as GGGI’s  ‘Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for Karakalpakstan Republic to address impacts of the Aral Sea crisis’ (Aral Sea GRIP)’ , funded by KOICA, which includes support for the agricultural sector, agribusiness and relevant stakeholders in Karakalpakstan.  

Ms. Nazokatoy Azimova, GGGI Uzbekistan Communications Assistant, introduced the participants to the Business Development Platform, JasilAwil, developed under Aral Sea GRIP, as well as the tools and resources the platform offers, such as e-learning materials and online consultancies from experts. Mr. Tajetdin Asamatdinov and Ms. Gulzar Toreniyazova are both consultants at the JasilAwil platform. GGGI team helped the participants to register, so that they could contact the consultants after the training to ask for further advice on microgreens management! 

Finally, Ms. Gulzar Toreniyazova, Chief Specialist of the IICAS Research and Innovation Department and a microgreen growing business owner, provided a detailed overview of microgreens, the benefits and the nuances of how they should be treated for best results. For the training, GGGI provided starter kits for planting microgreens for the participants to put their knowledge into practice right away. Step by step, Gulzar demonstrated how to use the items and what to expect. The participants actively engaged in the activity and did so with joy, according to the impressions they shared after the training!  

The participants expressed their appreciation to be included in the capacity building activities to develop a skill that does not rely on physical strength and allows them to support their families either by selling the greens as products or providing nutritious greens for their families to consume, they shared. All participants confirmed their interest in continuing to explore their further options with microgreens. 

Thus, a month later, GGGI, accompanied by Ms. Toreniyazova, delivered shelves and phytolamps to the women’s homes to make sure their newly obtained skills were followed up by action! Gulzar held individual mini masterclasses for the women, instructing them on the usage of the equipment.  

Not only were we able to deliver the equipment but also had an opportunity to talk to the women to learn about their impressions and further plans. 

One of the participants, Ms. Sarbinaz Tazhenova, shared her aspiration for a small microgreen growing business:  

“I want to grow dill, cilantro, rosemary and lettuce as they are in greater demand among the population,“ she said as she goes into detailing her business plan with great excitement! 

Ms. Tursynay Abdullayeva was just as enthusiastic: 

“After the training, I was very curious to learn more about microgreens and decided to explore more on my own. Now, with the equipment, I can get to work!” 

Ms. Katisha Bakhieva also discussed the influence the training had on her:  

“Through this journey with microgreens, I not only learned a lot about the greens but also about myself – now I feel empowered to start my own small business! Thanks to the training and the support, I have a goal in life. I now want to learn more about microgreens and agriculture, so I will use Jasil Awil to get advice from the consultants and enhance my productivity!”  

GGGI would like to thank the women for attending GGGI and IICAS’s joint training on growing microgreens and wish them success in their future endeavors! 

Aral Sea GRIP project:   

The desiccation of the Aral Sea basin and its delta have resulted in the loss of agricultural potential, livelihoods and employment and have led to health challenges. These problems are expected to worsen due to the impacts of climate change. To effectively address these issues, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is implementing ‘Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for Karakalpakstan Republic to address impacts of the Aral Sea crisis’ (Aral Sea GRIP)’ for three years (2021 to 2024), financed by KOICA (5.9 Million USD) and supported by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MEEPCC). The project supports communities of the four most disaster-afflicted districts of Karakalpakstan, Bozataw, Chimbay, Karauyzak and Kegeyli, with climate-smart measures to build sustainable livelihoods.   

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Find updates on the Aral Sea GRIP project: https://ggkp.org/aralseagrip   

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