In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the deputy head of the State Committee on Land Management and Geodesy, Azizmuhammad Karimzoda, revealed on July 20 that Chinese farmers have rented more than 18,000 hectares of lands in Tajikistan.
For comparison, a total area of Dushanbe is 12,700 hectares.
Two Chinese companies — Xinjiang Inhai and Hai-Li (phonetically spelled) – have reportedly been working on leased lands in Khatlon province.
As it had been reported earlier, Xinjiang Inhai and Hai-Li rented lands for 49 years. Besides, a Tajik-Chinese joint venture has been operating in Khatlon province, growing cotton, corn, wheat and other agricultural crops.
Recall, Tajik authorities in January 2011 made a decision to lease some 500 hectares of land in Khatlon province to Chinese farmers – 150 hectares in Jomi district, 150 hectares in Yovon district and 185 hectares in Rumi (currently Balkhi) district.
Senior representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) noted in January 2012 that Chinese farming units will invest 2 million U.S. dollars and provide modern technologies and technical to make those fields productive and efficient.
Over the past six years, a total area of lands rented by Chinese farmers in Tajikistan has increased to more than 18,000 hectares.
