Agriculture and food in Turkmenistan

Agriculture in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan, formerly known as Turkmenia, is a sovereign state in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north and east, Afghanistan to the southeast, and Iran to the south and southwest, and the Caspian Sea to the west. It has an area of 491,210 square kilometers (188,500 sq mi) and its territory covers approximately one-sixth of the area of the former Soviet Union. Turkmenistan is one of the six independent Turkic states. It is also home to the Akhal-Teke, a unique horse breed. Turkmenistan was inhabited by various ancient peoples, including the Massagetae, Scythians, Sarmatians, and Cimmerians. Turkmenistan was conquered by the Achaemenid Empire of ancient Iran in the 6th century BCE, and later became part of the Persian Empire. In the 8th century CE, Turkic-speaking Oghuz tribes moved from Mongolia into present-day Central Asia. Part of a powerful confederation of tribes, these Oghuz formed the ethnic basis of the modern Turkmen population. In the 10th century CE, the name "Turkmen" was first applied to Oghuz groups that accepted Islam and began to occupy present-day Turkmenistan. Between the 10th and 16th centuries CE, Turkmenistan was ruled by the Persian Safavid, Afsharid, and Qajar dynasties. In the early 1900s, a national movement arose in Turkmenistan to liberate the country from Russian imperial rule. In 1924, Turkmenistan became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, known as the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic (Turkmen SSR). In 1991, Turkmenistan declared independence from the USSR. Turkmenistan is a presidential republic with a strong executive power vested in the President. The President of Turkmenistan is both head of state and head of government. The president appoints all cabinet-level ministers and has considerable control over the appointments of lower-level officials. The National Assembly is the legislative body of Turkmenistan. It consists of 125 members elected for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies. Turkmenistan has a population of about 5 million people (2017 est.), predominantly ethnic Turkmen with sizable minorities of Uzbeks and Russians. The official language is Turkmen, a Turkic language written in the Latin alphabet. Russian also serves as a lingua franca in the country. Turkmenistan is a dry, landlocked country with an economy that is largely powered by its vast reserves of natural gas and oil. It is also rich in deposits of sulfur, potassium, and salt. Agriculture is the second-largest sector of the economy, with cotton, wheat, and livestock being the main products. Turkmenistan has been aiming to diversify its economy in recent years and has been working to attract foreign investment. The government has also been working to increase the country's exports. Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest, and the Caspian Sea to the west. It has an area of 488,100 square kilometers (188,500 square miles) and its territory covers around one-fifth of the total land area of Central Asia. Turkmenistan is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with a population of just over 5 million people. The vast majority of the population lives in rural areas, and the capital city of Ashgabat is home to around 1.5 million people. The country's desert landscape is characterized by vast expanses of sandy desert, punctuated by rocky outcrops and the occasional oasis. The Karakum Desert covers around 80% of Turkmenistan's land area, making it one of the largest deserts in the world. The desert is largely uninhabited, though there are a few small settlements dotted around the edges. The terrain is mostly flat or gently undulating, with dunes and sand plains occasionally interrupted by rocky outcrops. The climate of Turkmenistan is continental, with hot summers and cold winters. The country experiences very little rainfall, and what does fall is often lost to evaporation before it can sink into the ground. There are a number of mountain ranges in Turkmenistan, though none of them are particularly large or high. The Kopet Dag range forms the border with Iran, and the Kugitangtau range is located in the east of the country. Turkmenistan is home to a number of interesting landmarks and tourist attractions. The Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the "Gates of Hell", is a large crater that has been burning for over 40 years. The ancient city of Merv is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, and the ruins of the city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Parthian city of Nisa is another ancient site, and the nearby archaeological site of Ancient Merv is also worth visiting. The capital city of Ashgabat is home to a number of Soviet-era buildings, as well as the oldest settlements in Central Asia, and the ruins of the city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Parthian city of Nisa is another ancient site, and the nearby archaeological site of Ancient Merv is also worth visiting. The capital city of Ashgabat is home to a number of Soviet-era buildings, as well as the world's largest ferris wheel. Turkmenistan is home to a variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The country's diverse landscapes support a wide range of biodiversity, including desert, steppe, mountain, and forest habitats. Turkmenistan's desert ecosystems are some of the most biologically diverse in the world. They are home to a variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The country's steppe ecosystems are also very biodiverse, supporting a wide range of grassland and forest plants and animals. The mountains of Turkmenistan are home to a number of rare and endangered species, including the snow leopard, the Turkmenistan brown bear, and the Tien Shan red deer. The forests of Turkmenistan are also home to a variety of rare and endangered species, including the Persian leopard, the Asiatic black bear, and the red-listed East Caucasian tur. Turkmenistan's economy is largely dependent on hydrocarbon exports. The government has been working to diversify the economy, with mixed results. Agricultural production accounts for only about 3% of GDP and employs less than 10% of the labor force. The country has been working to attract investment in the non-energy sector, with some success. The government has also taken steps to improve the business environment and has made progress in privatizing state-owned enterprises. However, the economy continues to be highly centralized and the government maintains strict control over most aspects of economic activity. The current account surplus in Turkmenistan shrank sharply in 2013, due to declining hydrocarbon exports and lower prices for those exports. The country's reserves dropped by about $5 billion in 2013, but have since recovered to $19 billion as of the end of 2016. The government has been working to diversify the economy, with mixed results. Agricultural production accounts for only about 3% of GDP and employs less than 10% of the labor force. The country has been trying to attract investment in the non-energy sector, but progress has been slow. The government has also taken steps to improve the business environment and has made some progress in privatizing state-owned enterprises. However, the economy continues to be highly centralized and the government maintains strict control over most aspects of economic activity. Turkmenistan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an organization of former Soviet republics. It is also a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The economy of Turkmenistan is largely based on the production of hydrocarbons. These resources have helped the country to achieve a high level of economic growth, although this growth has been uneven and often accompanied by serious social and environmental problems. The government of Turkmenistan has taken some steps to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on hydrocarbon exports, but these efforts have so far had limited success. Diversification of the economy and reduction of hydrocarbon dependence are significant challenges that Turkmenistan faces. The country also needs to improve its infrastructure and develop a skilled workforce. Turkmenistan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an organization of former Soviet republics. It is also a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The Turkmenistan economy is largely based on the production of hydrocarbons. These resources have helped the country achieve a high level of economic growth, but this growth has been uneven and often accompanied by serious social and environmental problems. The government has taken some steps to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on hydrocarbon exports, but these efforts have so far had limited success. Significant challenges that Turkmenistan faces include diversification of the economy, reduction of hydrocarbon dependence, improvement of infrastructure, and development of a skilled workforce. Turkmenistan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an organization of former Soviet republics. It is also a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Turkmenistan has a significant agricultural sector, which employs around 27% of the country's workforce. The sector contributed 22% to GDP in 2013. The main crops grown in Turkmenistan are wheat, cotton, maize, rice, and fruits and vegetables. The country also has a thriving livestock sector, with over 7 million head of sheep and 2.5 million head of cattle. The Turkmenistan government has placed a strong emphasis on developing the agricultural sector, with a number of initiatives aimed at increasing productivity and improving infrastructure. The government has also invested heavily in irrigation projects, which have helped to offset the effects of the country's often harsh climate. Despite these efforts, Turkmenistan's agriculture sector remains relatively underdeveloped, and the country is still reliant on imports to meet its food needs. This dependency was highlighted in 2016 when a severe drought led to a sharp increase in food prices. The agricultural sector is the backbone of Turkmenistan's economy, accounting for about 22% of the country's GDP and employing almost half of its workforce. The main crops grown in Turkmenistan are wheat, cotton, and rice. Turkmenistan is also a major producer of fruit and vegetables. The government is working to modernize the agricultural sector and increase its productivity. In recent years, it has invested heavily in irrigation and drainage infrastructure, as well as in new technology and equipment. The government has also created special agricultural zones where farmers can access preferential loans and other benefits. Despite these efforts, Turkmenistan's agriculture sector remains relatively underdeveloped compared to other sectors of the economy. This is due in part to the country's harsh climate, which makes farming a challenge. Additionally, the sector faces a number of other challenges, such as a lack of skilled labor, limited access to markets, and low productivity. The government is working to address these challenges and improve the agricultural sector's performance. In particular, it is focusing on increasing agricultural production, improving the quality of products, and expanding access to markets. Turkmenistan is a country with a rich and unique culture. The people of Turkmenistan have their own language, music, dance, and cuisine. The traditional music of Turkmenistan is very different from the music of other Central Asian countries. Turkmen musicians use a variety of instruments, including the dutar (a two-stringed lute), the gidzhak (a three-stringed fiddle), and the komuz (a three-stringed lute). Turkmen music is often very fast-paced and upbeat. The traditional dances of Turkmenistan are also very different from those of other Central Asian countries. The most popular Turkmen dances are the teke (a dance with two rows of dancers), the yally (a dance with four rows of dancers), and the gypsies (a dance in which the dancers form a circle). The cuisine of Turkmenistan is also very different from that of other Central Asian countries. The most popular Turkmen dishes are plov (a rice dish), shashlik (skewered meats), and beshbarmak (noodles with meat). Turkmenistan is also famous for its horsemeat soup, which is made with horsemeat, vegetables, and noodles. Turkmenistan is a Muslim country, and Islam is the dominant religion. However, there is also a significant Christian minority, as well as smaller numbers of other faiths such as Judaism and Buddhism. The government of Turkmenistan officially recognizes Islam and Christianity as the two main religions practiced in the country. However, freedom of religion is not guaranteed in practice, and the government has been known to restrict the religious activities of minority groups. There have been reports of Muslims being forced to participate in state-sponsored religious events, and of Christian churches being raided and their members harassed. Buddhism and Judaism are not recognized by the government, and there have been no reports of followers of these faiths facing any official discrimination. Despite the restrictions on religious freedom, Turkmenistan is home to a number of beautiful mosques and churches, as well as other places of worship for minority groups. These include the Blue Mosque in Ashgabat, which is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia, and the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene in Turkmenbashi, which is the largest Orthodox church in the country. If you're interested in learning more about the religious landscape of Turkmenistan, or if you're planning on visiting any of the country's places of worship, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to religion in Turkmenistan