Geography
Tajikistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. It is bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. The country is mostly mountainous, with the Pamir Mountains in the east and the Fann Mountains in the west. The highest point in Tajikistan is Mount Ismoil Somoni, which is 7,495 meters (24,590 feet) tall.
Capital
The capital of Tajikistan is Dushanbe. Dushanbe is a large city with a population of over 1 million people. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, in the foothills of the Fann Mountains.
People
The majority of the people in Tajikistan are Tajiks. Tajiks are a Persian-speaking people who have lived in the region for centuries. Other ethnic groups in Tajikistan include Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, and Russians.
Language
The official language of Tajikistan is Tajik. Tajik is a Persian language that is closely related to Farsi. Other languages spoken in Tajikistan include Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Russian.
Religion
The majority of the people in Tajikistan are Muslims. Islam is the official religion of the country. Other religious groups in Tajikistan include Christians, Jews, and Buddhists.
LOCATIONS
Dairy farm
Since the region is in high mountains the winters are very cold and the milk production also decreases due to improper construction of the dairy farm buildings. The same problem applies to preservation of vegetable and fruit crops in the winter period. Four dairy farms and six home-based fruits and vegetable storages have been re-constructed using thermos-insulation technology. The practical trainings were conducted by the local trainer for producer groups in Roshtqala and Rushan Districts. This technology has been adapted in using locally available construction materials to help the farmers to replicate the technology in the future. During the training a practical handbook was disseminated among the group members in the district. The need-based technical support aimed at long-term storage and shelf-life extension of diverse produced crops and introduction of new adapted technology. Furthermore, it will positively impact on production capacity of milk producer groups.
Demo-Greenhouse
The Demo-Greenhouse was constructed to introduce sustainable and innovative crop management for vegetable producer groups in Derzud, in the Rushan district. A local greenhouse expert was hired not only for the demonstration of the construction process, but also to teach innovative cultivation, planting, and irrigation technologies. In the vegetation period drip irrigation technology was introduced and jointly placed in the greenhouse. The greenhouse has brought good results in giving 3.5 tons of cucumbers from 200 m plot during May to October.
Khorog Centre for Entrepreneurship
The Khorog Centre for Entrepreneurship (KCE) was established in collaboration with the University of Central Asia’s (UCA) School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) in 2021 with the aim to provide advice, trainings, and support to generate income and promote market development for small business leaders and farmers in the region. The KCE offers practice-oriented and post-investment consultations for MSMEs including small-scale farmers. The topics mainly focus on business management, financial literacy, cost calculation, agricultural product processing and post-harvest management, climate change, value chain, marketing, and branding, etc. The theoretical trainings are followed by practical activities in the field involving the target groups in the process to understand and identify the challenges and develop context adapted solutions.
Department for Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade Inspection (Gos-standard)
Based on the need assessment results, Food Safety Diagnostic Centre and the Department for Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade Inspection in the GBAO have been supported with modern laboratory equipment. The purpose of this project was to help the state agencies to inspect both local and imported products to ensure safety usage by end consumers and verify the quality.
Food laboratory(Khorog Bazar)
Based on the need assessment results, Food Safety Diagnostic Centre and the Department for Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade Inspection in the GBAO have been supported with modern laboratory equipment. The purpose of this project was to help the state agencies to inspect both local and imported products to ensure safety usage by end consumers and verify the quality.
The Technical and Vocational Education Training Centre (TVET), UCA, SPCE
The Technical and Vocational Education Training Centre (TVET) of the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE), of the University of Central Asia (UCA) has been fully equipped with essential tools and equipment for launching new heavy-truck maintenance workshop and services. This vehicle maintenance workshop will serve agricultural heavy machines as well as prepare and train specialists, who are able to start their own businesses in the chosen field.
Cooperative Zindagi
The cooperative “Zindagi” was established with support of GIZ in 2010 with its mission to promote energy-saving technologies for the local population to reduce pressure on using natural resources. In 2020, cooperative “Zindagi” has got small subsidies for introducing new solar fruit dryers in the market for farmers. The new solar dryer models in comparison to traditional drying methods can improve the quality of dried fruit by the following two characteristics: Fruits are dried in a closed box out from dust. Fruits are not dried under direct sun effects.
Cooperative Parshed
Cooperative “Parshed” has been operating since 1988 as the first car maintenance unit in GBAO. As the cooperative has a professional technician who learnt his craft during the Soviet Union, it attracts clients from all parts of the GBAO. The cooperative has received subsidies with the aim to expand its number of boxes from 2 to 5 to have more spaces for cars and offer shelter for the cars especially in winter and in the rainy seasons. The business now serves more clients due to the improved spaces and created an additional permanent job. The business supports young men in job training. The business increased its income by 15% and improved the working conditions for its specialists.
Dairy Cluster Zanuthj
The milk collection point in Zanuthj Village, Roshtqala has been established by AKF based on a grant agreement under the project “Local Economic Development in Selected High Mountainous Region”. The collection point has a cooling tank as well as a milk transportation vehicle to collect milk from dairy farmers in different villages. Altogether seven dairy producer groups have been established both by MSDSP and GIZ to get connected to the market. At the moment more than 100 women are benefiting from selling raw milk. Every week more than 1000 L of milk is transported and sold in the central market.
Cashmire Women Groups
Dunyobegim Khudododova is currently leading three women groups working on spinning cashmire wool. She started spinning with other women in her village Zanuthj in 2016, as part of a project of the Aga Khan Foundation. That time, cashmire wool was brought from Hirat, Afghanistan, spun in Badakhshan Tajikistan, and sent for dying in Sughd, Tajikistan, and then sent to the U.S. for marketing and sales. In addition, the women groups have been supported with the creation of their own spinning workshops in three villages which are Zanuthj, Sejd, and Barvoz in the Roshtqala District. Since 2020 after the COVID-19 breakdown the cross-border markets have been closed and the spinning business has also stopped. Fortunately, last year in 2022 Aga Khan Foundation created a cashmire wool processing company in Zanuthj village, Roshtqala District where cashmire wool is collected and processed. In 2023, with the support of GIZ, the women groups in Roshtqala bought enough wool for spinning. Moreover, GIZ has supported these three spinning women groups with heaters for their workshops in the wintertime. Besides, this year, the representatives of the cashmire women groups have participated in Sughd Expo 2023 and have got potential buyers. They are currently working with the Union of Craftsmen, Tajikistan, and have sent sample cashmire bags to Japan to attract orders. Meanwhile, they are working to produce different woolen products to sell in the local market but hoping to get more orders from in and outside the country. Currently, there are three women groups working in the Roshtqala District with a total of 26 members.