The International Fund for Agricultural Development will allocate a grant of $19.7 million to Tajikistan for the implementation of the project “Access to Markets and Livestock Adaptation” (AMAL). The corresponding agreement was signed by the Minister of Finance of Tajikistan Faiziddin Kahhorzoda and the Director of the IFAD country office in Tajikistan Roberto Longo.
As reported by the Ministry of Finance, the project is fully funded by IFAD grant resources. In addition, the government of Tajikistan will allocate another $2.3 million for its implementation.
The main goal of the project is to improve the welfare, income, and resilience of rural households, especially small livestock farmers. The funds are planned to be directed towards increasing livestock productivity, sustainable pasture management, and adapting the sector to climate change.
The project also envisions the development of value chains in livestock, support for small and medium-sized businesses, improvement of the population’s nutrition, and expanded access for farmers to local and regional markets.
Agriculture remains one of the key sectors of Tajikistan’s economy, where about 70% of the population lives in rural areas. In recent years, farmers and livestock breeders have faced a number of challenges, including water shortages, rising prices for mineral fertilizers, and difficulties in utilizing pastures.
IFAD has been collaborating with Tajikistan for over 15 years. During this time, the fund has invested more than $115 million in the rural areas of the country, helping to improve the living conditions of over 300,000 dehkan farms. The organization’s ongoing projects in Tajikistan focus on agricultural development, support for livestock, enhancing the resilience of rural families, and expanding economic opportunities in the regions.
