Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have launched a pilot project to support Tajikistan’s Ministry of Agriculture in potato seed replenishment.

JICA Tajikistan Office said the project aims to give smallholder farmers access to critical agricultural inputs, including good quality potato seeds and fertilisers along with advanced agro-consulting services, to enhance livelihoods by promoting market-oriented agriculture in Tajikistan and advancing yields.

“Agribusiness development plays a key role in improvement of Food Security status in Tajikistan. In this regard, access to quality seeds, advanced and innovative agro-consulting services are very important,” Muneo Takasaka, chief representative of the JICA Tajikistan Office stated. “JICA decided to introduce [the] SHEP approach in Tajikistan as the first experience in Central Asia.  SHEP is a model, which promotes market-oriented agriculture among small-scale farmers. We believe that our fruitful collaboration with FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan in this project will support the Government of Tajikistan to put a strong step forward in achieving its strategic goals in Ensuring Food Security.” 

“The project will cover a few districts in the Rasht Valley and Sughd Province to further enhance the potato seed production system in the country.  The project will also help to improve livelihood and strengthen food security among vulnerable households in Khuroson district,” said Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO representative in Tajikistan.