DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 27. Tajikistan and the EU have assessed the progress of the EU-funded Rural Development Program (RDP) in the Zarafshon Valley, Trend reports via the Delegation of the EU in Tajikistan.
The meeting, co-chaired by Sughd Region Governor Rajabboy Ahmadzoda and EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis, included representatives from various state agencies and RDP II partners.
Discussions focused on the "Integrated Natural Resources Management in Zarafshon Valley for Equitable and Sustainable Development" (INVEST) project, part of RDP II. Participants reviewed achievements and plans for Year 3 across four key areas: sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, nutrition, and sanitation.
Key accomplishments included:
- Improved irrigation for 5,466 hectares of land, with 68 hectares newly irrigated.
- Restoration of over 280 hectares of forest and pastureland, along with three infrastructure projects handed to local communities.
- Distribution of 60 tons of high-quality potato seeds, doubling harvest yields for farmers.
- Enhanced access to agricultural machinery for 252 farmers and greenhouses for 96 households.
- Improved storage facilities for 1,848 farmers.
- Equipment for food safety centers and veterinary labs, boosting service delivery.
- Technical training for 348 health personnel and 360 community nutrition volunteers, benefiting over 35,000 community members through nutrition campaigns.
- Initiation of drinking water supply systems for 1,086 households, with plans to expand to 4,452 by July 2027.
Participants praised the project's progress and approved the Year 3 work plan.
Ambassador Karoblis emphasized the importance of integrated water resource management for Tajikistan's sustainable development.
“We know that the budget of this project is 16.6 million euro, but the most important thing is that the project gives impetus to rural development through the cooperation and contribution of the state, society, and entrepreneurs, and its impact on the economy will be not less than 40 million euro in the end.” Abdukholiq Kholiqzoda, Mayor of Penjikent, underlined.