Scientists in Tajikistan are concerned about the disappearance of many varieties of vegetables and fruits. They note that despite the fact that new varieties are more resistant to adverse climatic conditions, the disappearance of traditional sorts for this area has a negative impact on the preservation of the country’s biodiversity.
CABAR.asia says that according to experts, about 70 percent of the zoned varieties in Tajikistan have not been grown or have been lost since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Almost all varieties and hybrids of tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, eggplants, cauliflower, broccoli, corn and some varieties of wheat are imported and not included in the zoning list.
Experts also note the loss of vintage varieties of apples and pears as well as some apricot varieties.
Analysts believe that the loss of local varieties occurred for various reasons, but one of the main reasons is the desire to get a larger yield and more profits. losing their own seed stock and traditional varieties of fruits and vegetables.
The low level of agro-technical and hydro-technical knowledge, improper grazing and many other things contribute to land degradation and seed stock depletion, according to Farzona Mahmoudova, climate expert of the GIZ program.
She says the seed stock is becoming scarce because of the low culture of pesticide use.
Another reason, analysts say, is the mass destruction of orchards after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
New gardens were created in their place, the land was given to vegetable crops or social facilities or other buildings were built.
In addition, after independence, population growth, and shrinking arable land, more fruits and vegetables were needed, and local varieties were inferior to imported ones in terms of yields.
Agriculture is Tajikistan’s second largest economy after services. It employs 1.5 million people (nearly 51 percent of employment) and accounts for 19 percent of the country’s GDP – more than $7.5 billion, according to the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan.
Tajikistan is a mountainous country and there is very little flat land. Only 30% of the total land area is classified as agricultural and 7% as arable. Only 68% of permanent cropland is irrigated, making Tajikistan the country with the lowest ratio of irrigated land to population in Central Asia.
At the same time, more than 70% of the population, according to official data, lives in rural areas. Therefore, the main task of scientists and agrarians is to increase the yield of agricultural products.
In these conditions, it is very important to preserve biodiversity and not to allow the disappearance of varieties of vegetables and fruits that are resistant to local conditions. After all, fruits and vegetables growing in hot climates have better taste qualities.
Nevertheless, many varieties of fruit have already been lost, experts say.
