The Government of Tajikistan has approved a new state program aimed at the development of new agricultural lands and the restoration of degraded farmland for the period 2026-2030. The program envisions the reclamation of 11,800 hectares of new land and the restoration of 16,750 hectares of degraded land.
This initiative is designed to boost agricultural production, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s food security. Most of Tajikistan's food is grown on irrigated lands. However, many areas have become unsuitable for agriculture due to outdated irrigation systems, water shortages, and soil degradation.
The new program is expected to bring these lands back into productive use, improve crop yields, and enhance water management efficiency through the construction and reconstruction of hydraulic structures, irrigation, and drainage systems. The total funding for the program will amount to 827 million somonis, which will help bring 28,500 hectares of land back into agricultural use across the country.
Economic impact and job creation
The program is expected to create around 47,000 new jobs in rural areas, boosting employment and providing a stable income for thousands of families. The program will be implemented in two main areas: the development of new irrigated land covering 11,800 hectares with a budget of 492 million somonis, and the restoration of 16,750 hectares of previously unused land with a budget of 335 million somoni. The work will be carried out over a five-year period.
Key projects by region
The largest portion of the work is planned for the Khatlon province, where 5,900 hectares of new land will be developed with an investment of 228 million somonis. Projects will be implemented in the districts of Jayhun, Vakhsh, Farhor, and Danghara, with the largest area (2,400 hectares) being developed through investments.
In the Sughd province, 4,750 hectares will be reclaimed with an investment of 183.5 million somonis. Major projects will take place in Kuhistoni Mastchoh (1,501 hectares), Panjakent (1,001 hectares), and Bobojon-Ghafourov (501 hectares) districts.
In districts subordinate to the center, 900 hectares will be developed with 63 million somonis, while the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) will see the reclamation of 250 hectares (17.5 million somonis), mainly in Vanj and Darvoz districts.
Land restoration plans
In addition to new land development, over 16,000 hectares of agricultural land are expected to be restored by 2030. In Khatlon, 8,001 hectares will be rehabilitated with an investment of 160 million somoni, in Sughd 5,500 hectares with 110 million somonis, in the districts subordinate to the center 2,749 hectares with 55 million somonis, and in GBAO, 500 hectares with a budget of 10 million somonis.
The largest restoration projects will take place in the Nosir-Khusrav (3,000 hectares), Zafarobod (2,000 hectares), and Mastchoh (1,000 hectares) districts.
Oversight and Implementation
The program will be overseen by the Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation under the Government of Tajikistan, as well as by the executive authorities of GBAO, Khatlon, Sughd, and other regions.
