The premiere of the documentary film “The Cry of Mother Earth” took place
20.12.2025
Land degradation is one of the most serious environmental problems of humanity, affecting 40 percent of the world’s land surface and 3.2 billion people.
In Central Asia, nearly 37 percent of the total land area has been degraded, negatively impacting food security, water resources, and climate stability. In Uzbekistan, this figure has reached 26 percent: salinization levels are increasing, while soil humus content and agricultural crop yields are declining.
Considering the global relevance of this issue, the documentary film “The Cry of Mother Earth” was produced with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, the FAO Representation in Uzbekistan, and the “Zamin” Foundation. It was first presented to the public on December 4 at FAO Headquarters in Italy as part of international events dedicated to World Soil Day.
In Uzbekistan, the film’s premiere was held at the National Research University “Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers” and at the State Agrarian University. The film tells the story of people who rarely appear on camera but work with the land every day-farmers, agronomists, and scientists.
During a sincere discussion with students, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the “Zamin” Foundation addressed the issue of soil degradation, carefully listened to the ideas and proposals of future specialists, and emphasized how dangerous environmental processes are for the region’s food security.
Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, together with eco-school pupils and university students, watched the documentary, which highlights the value of soil and the efforts of farmers and scientists to preserve it by combining centuries-old farming experience with sustainable practices and advanced technologies.
The event was also attended by representatives of relevant ministries and agencies, FAO, the UN, UNDP, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the French Development Agency (AFD), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), KfW Development Bank, and other international organizations.
The film is available to watch on the “Zamin” Foundation’s YouTube channel.
