Kyrgyzstan is facing serious land degradation, but the problem could be addressed if the country applied more of its traditional agricultural methods. A new SIANI expert group, Reviving the Roots, hopes that art and culture will inspire more people to rediscover Kyrgyzstan’s rich heritage of holistic soil management.
The Reviving the Roots expert group works in Kyrgyzstan, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders: researchers, NGOs, soil experts, and agronomists, as well as artists and representatives from the country’s cultural sector. Together, they aim to explore ways to raise interest in traditional forms of farming and land management.
The group is led by Centralasiengrupperna (Central Asia Solidarity Groups), a Swedish civil society organisation with extensive experience in climate and environmental issues, as well as gender rights and democracy in five Central Asian countries. We asked the expert group’s coordinator, Gustaf Sörnmo, to tell us more.
What is your project about?
Our project aims to revive Kyrgyzstan’s traditional, holistic, and ecocentric perceptions of soil and promote sustainable soil management through culture, art, and permaculture principles.
How will you be working?
First, we will explore traditional perceptions and practices related to soil through anthropological research. The findings from this study will inform our awareness-raising campaign, which will utilize popular folklore genres among farmers, such as Aitysh, to promote an ecosystem-based approach to soil use. Additionally, we will leverage social media through short videos to advocate for sustainable soil management.
Next, we will conduct expert-led consultation sessions on soil use to identify legislative gaps and develop solutions. These discussions will contribute to the preparation of policy recommendations for state institutions.
Finally, we will organize an exhibition to visually present these gaps and proposed solutions, engaging students from arts, anthropology, and agriculture to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and awareness.
What type of change do you think can be achieved through the project?
The aim is to increase farmers’ understanding of soil health and sustainable agricultural practices in Kyrgyzstan through anthropological research, a creative information campaign using folklore, and an exhibition.
We also want to create a dialogue and knowledge exchange between different Kyrgyz stakeholders, including farmers, state institutions, and soil health experts. Hopefully, this will lead to legislation being more influenced by a holistic approach to soil health.
The project will place particular emphasis on empowering youth by engaging them in research and the exhibition on soil, climate change, and food sustainability, where they will gain research and creative skills.
Why is this approach to soil management so important?
Kyrgyzstan faces severe soil degradation due to misuse and poor agricultural practices. Currently, approximately 60% of pastureland and 50% of arable land are degraded. The main factors include unsustainable irrigation, which washes away up to 40 tons of topsoil per hectare annually—along with 700 kg of humus and 60–120 kg of essential nutrients.
Smallholder farmers, who make up the majority of Kyrgyzstan’s agricultural sector, receive little support and often rely on unsustainable farming methods. Poverty forces them to prioritize short-term survival over long-term practices such as crop rotation and soil regeneration. Additionally, state policies exacerbate soil degradation by subsidizing mineral fertilizers, making them more affordable than sustainable alternatives.
How can I learn more about this project?
You can learn more on the Centralasiengrupperna website and through SIANI’s communication channels.