The GIZ project “Ecologically oriented regional development in the Aral Sea region” (ECO ARAL) in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized a workshop on the topic “Sustainable brine shrimp Artemia cultivation – a new business opportunity for the Aral Sea Region”.

The seminar was held on February 17, 2025 in Tashkent, where international experts in the field of cultivating brine shrimp artemia, representatives of ministries and government and non-government offices of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Karakalpakstan, as well as representatives of international organizations took part.

During the seminar, the participants discussed the necessity to setup a new Artemia farming industry in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, in salt-affected areas where classical agriculture is no longer acceptable due to the gradual drying up of the Aral Sea and the constant increase in salinity in the region.

The GIZ reginal project ECO ARAL has therefore implemented an Artemia pilot project to showcase the feasibility of a sustainable Artemia cultivation in environmentally friendly earth ponds.

For information: In the framework of this pilot project GIZ organized a multistakeholder study trip to Thailand for Uzbek and Kazakh participants from government, academia, and aquaculture sector to learn about sustainable Artemia cultivation in Thailand and their experiences. Furthermore, the setup of an Artemia demonstration farm in Uzbekistan was established: Uzbek professionals were sent to Vietnam to get acquainted with Artemia pond farming techniques, including harvesting and processing methods; upon their return the technical feasibility of such a pond cultivation system has been successfully demonstrated in Karakalpakstan, where it makes use of drainage water and salt-affected soil.

The seminar demonstrated the results of the implemented Artemia pilot project, presented guidelines and recommendations, in particular for businesses, and discussed the prospects of Artemia production for the further development of the aquaculture sector in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

It was emphasized that the availability of high-quality Artemia products in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan could catalyze further development of aquaculture in the region.

Following the seminar, the participants agreed on further close cooperation in the development of Artemia production in the Aral Sea region.