ADB grants $17.5m to boost food security in Tajikistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $17.5 million grant to enhance women’s agricultural skills and bolster food security in Tajikistan, according to its statement on Wednesday.

The Resilient Livelihoods and Empowerment of Rural Women Project in Tajikistan aims to enhance productivity on women-led farms, improve agricultural processing and storage facilities, and offer assistance to vulnerable women in six districts of Khatlon, the province with the highest population and agricultural output.

ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov, emphasised the importance of investing in women as agents of change.

This project offers comprehensive support to vulnerable women by boosting their agricultural skills, increasing their employability, and ultimately improving food security.

Women often lack access to climate-resilient agricultural practices, which are crucial for enhancing productivity in a country highly vulnerable to climate change impacts like drought and heat stress.

Under the project, female farmers will receive various agricultural inputs, including drying facilities, greenhouses, and water-saving irrigation technologies.

They will also undergo training in financial management and production technologies, such as nature-based solutions and integrated pest management. The focus will be on fruits, vegetables, and beekeeping, which offer the highest income potential.

The project will also support the establishment of small-scale post-harvest processing and storage hubs to improve product quality and increase value in local and export markets. Additionally, it will help establish digital learning and agricultural trade platforms.

Attribution: Asian Development Bank statement

Subediting: M. S. Salama