To support the ecological crisis management of the Aral Sea and promote green development in Central Asia, researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted a series of research and demonstration activities in the region.

The goal was to identify key factors for ecological restoration in the Aral Sea region, establish a cooperative development management model for water-ecology-society, and propose protection plans and a roadmap for water and ecological green development in the Central Asian Great Lakes region. Among these efforts, mulch drip irrigation technology has emerged as a key technology for conserving water resources, ensuring ecological water use, and increasing local farmers' incomes.

Currently, the government of Uzbekistan is implementing this technology for cotton cultivation nationwide and is seeking the participation of Chinese companies across the cotton industry supply chain in its industrial park. The successful demonstration of this technology will significantly improve local cotton production and provide critical guidance for Uzbekistan's water-efficient cotton production.

Throughout the installation and commissioning in 2021 and 2022, the Chinese involvement attracted considerable attention from local farmers. They inquired about the cost and yield benefits of drip-irrigated cotton per hectare. The consecutive years of high yields in 2021 and 2022, especially after Uzbekistan eliminated its national cotton purchase policy in 2022 and aligned cotton market prices with international prices, resulted in increased profits for farmers in the demonstration fields.

This success has attracted considerable interest from neighboring farmers, who have expressed a desire to sign installation contracts with Chinese technicians. Leveraging its industrial advantages in technology, materials, and equipment, Xinjiang can engage in joint research and production activities with Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan.

The fundamental ecological problem in Central Asian countries revolves around the inefficient use of water resources. Water-saving technology is an important solution for Central Asian countries to address their environmental challenges. Efficient water-saving irrigation technology is not only an economic necessity for Central Asian countries, but also a key lever in China's national strategy and economic cycle of promoting mature equipment technology internationally. China's technology promotion and demonstration serve as an important platform for sharing China's success stories.