Zero Tillage – The Future of Agriculture: Large-Scale No-Till Field Day Held in Aksy District

7 July 2026 – A major agricultural event was held on the rainfed lands of Aksy District. A practical Field Day took place in Sogot village, dedicated to promoting and introducing No-Till technology for direct seeding of cereal crops.

More than 40 participants took part, including agronomists, local farmers from Sogot, Kosh-Dobo and Kara-Dobo villages and Kerben city, as well as experts and representatives of local authorities.

The Field Day programme covered several thematic sessions, allowing participants to explore the key aspects of zero tillage technology. Experts demonstrated how avoiding traditional ploughing helps preserve the natural soil structure, retain scarce moisture on rainfed lands and significantly reduce mechanical cultivation costs.

Special attention was given to the control of weeds, pests and wheat diseases. Participants emphasized that timely crop protection is an essential condition for successful direct seeding. A comparative economic analysis was also presented, demonstrating the potential savings in fuel and lubricants, seeds and labour resources when using No-Till compared with conventional cultivation.

The highlight of the event was a visit to the demonstration field. Participants assessed the condition of winter wheat of the “Steklovidny-24” variety, which was sown using the direct seeding method in autumn 2025. Particularly promising results were observed on the field of farmer Payazbek Mamashov. With around 10 days remaining before harvesting, the height and density of the wheat crop are encouraging specialists, with a high yield expected.

Local farmers highlighted several key advantages of the technology, including the use of modern specialized machinery such as the “Millennium-18” direct seeder, access to financial mechanisms, including the possibility of covering 50% of expenses, time savings, continuous advisory support from experienced agronomists, and the gradual restoration and improvement of natural soil fertility.

Local authorities expressed their full readiness to support farmers transitioning to modern agricultural practices. Taalaibek Samatov, Head of the Department for Agricultural Development of Aksy District, emphasized the importance of proper crop rotation and the use of specialized machinery. He also proposed an initiative to specialize villages in specific crops, including wheat, maize and vegetables, and encouraged farmers to form cooperatives for more effective joint work.

Ulanbek Orolbaev, a representative of the Kerben City Mayor’s Office and a resident of Sogot village, shared his personal experience. He has been successfully growing winter wheat using No-Till technology for two years. According to him, this year alone, 80-90 hectares in Sogot village are planned to be allocated for direct seeding of winter wheat.

As a result of the meeting, the Head of the Department for Agricultural Development of Aksy District announced an ambitious target – to submit an application for sowing winter wheat using No-Till technology on 500 hectares across the district.

At the end of the Field Day, certificates of recognition were presented to the Head of the District Agricultural Development Department, the field consultant and heads of local self-government bodies for their contribution to the development and promotion of advanced agricultural technologies.

The Field Day in Sogot demonstrated that No-Till is not simply a way to save resources today. It is an important step towards strengthening food security, preserving soil fertility for future generations and promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture in Kyrgyzstan.