The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon at a meeting of the government of the republic ordered to eliminate deficiencies in the field of seed production.
During the meeting, among other topics, the project of a new Program for the Development of the Seed Production Sector in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2026–2030 was discussed.
While reviewing the document, Emomali Rahmon assessed the work of the responsible bodies in this area as unsatisfactory. He gave specific instructions to address the existing problems, notes the press service of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Details of the instructions are not provided in the official message.
Results of the 2021–2025 Program
This year, the previous program for the development of the seed production industry for 2021–2025 has been completed. It identified the main problems in the sector.
Among them are the lack of certified seeds, weak material and technical base of seed farms, scientific institutions, laboratories, and quality control points.
Seed production farms of Tajikistan
According to the Seed Industry Development Program for 2021–2025
90 specialized seed production farms:
46 — cotton seed production farms
13 — cotton and grain crop seed production farms
1 — cotton and vegetable seed production farm
9 — grain seed production farms
16 — potato seed production farms
2 — alfalfa seed production farms
3 — vegetable seed production farms
Source: Seed Industry Development Program of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2021–2025
Quality and Control Issues of Seeds
The previous program also noted that low-quality seeds are found on the market, without labeling, without state control of varieties, and dubious batches of seeds.
It specifically pointed out the weak control and the need for a full implementation of the seed certification system.
Processing and Cotton Seed Production Problems
One of the problems mentioned was the mixing and damage of cotton seeds during cotton processing. The document noted that many cotton processing enterprises are not interested in producing seeds that meet state standards.
Other problems included the lack of modern technologies for processing, cleaning, storing, and marketing seeds, the use of seeds of unknown origin, as well as the practice of farmers separating seeds from their harvested crops themselves. This negatively affects the quality of the seeds.
Staff Shortages and Dependence on Imports
The previous program also mentioned the lack of qualified personnel, weak motivation of breeders, insufficient development of breeding, lack of storage facilities, refrigeration units, and biotechnological laboratories. It also highlighted the dependence on imports of certain seeds, especially hybrid vegetable seeds, corn, melons, and ornamental crops.
To address these issues, the program for 2021–2025 set several tasks.
Among them were conducting accreditation of seed farms, developing a new network of such farms, organizing primary seed production, strengthening the material and technical base, and scientific potential of research institutes.
Development of Breeding and Commercial Seed Production
It was also planned to develop private breeding and seed production, create special lines for processing cotton seeds, establish elite seed farms, and increase the production of super-super elite, super elite, and elite seeds.
Furthermore, the program provided for supporting seed producers through subsidies, loans, grants, and investments, as well as developing commercial seed production.
Funding of the Program
To implement the program for 2021–2025, 20 million 79 thousand somoni were allocated. Of this amount, 4 million 532 thousand somoni were to come from the state budget, and 15 million 547 thousand somoni from non-budget sources.
