On September 18–19, 2025, Dushanbe will host the International Symposium on Fat-Tailed Sheep Breeds along with a festival-exhibition dedicated to the Hisor breed. The events are organized by the Institute of Animal Husbandry and Pastures with support from the Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
The symposium will bring together experts and scientists from the CIS, China, India, Canada, Afghanistan, and Mongolia, alongside diplomats and representatives of international organizations. The main goal is to join forces in finding sustainable solutions for sheep farming, focusing on breeding innovation, animal nutrition, veterinary science, and economic efficiency.
Discussions will range from improving genetic qualities of fat-tailed breeds to modern technologies in feeding and housing. Participants will also review advances in disease prevention and treatment, as well as the economic outlook for the livestock sector. The symposium will take place at the National Library of Tajikistan in both in-person and online formats via Zoom.
At last year’s exhibition, a ram weighing 192 kilograms from Roudaki district’s “Sim-Sim” farm was named the best specimen.
In 2025, the Hisor breed was included in the prestigious Global Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) list, highlighting its cultural and agricultural significance.
The Hisor sheep is an ancient, large, and hardy fat-tailed sheep breed originating from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, named after the Hisor mountain range. Primarily bred for its distinctively flavored meat, fat, and milk, Hisor sheep are known for their large size, with rams weighing up to 190 kg and ewes up to 120 kg. They are adapted to highland pastures and require free-range grazing, migrating seasonally to higher altitudes for summer pastures.
