Tajikistan is a mountainous landlocked country located on the southern edge of the Central Asian group of nations, bordering Afghanistan to the south, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and Uzbekistan to the west. The five-year civil war between the Moscow-backed government and the rebel opposition, in which up to 50,000 people were killed and over one-tenth of the population fled the country, ended in 1997 with a United Nations-brokered peace agreement. Besides hydro-electric power, the country has few natural resources but cotton and aluminium have contributed to the steady improvement of the country’s economy. Economic growth averaging 8 per cent annually has reduced poverty over the past five years, and social reform has become a national priority.

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A locust outbreak in Tajikistan threatens food security

12 June 2007: In the past few weeks, locust invasions in Tajikistan have destroyed crops and cotton plantations over an area of almost 45,000 hectares.  According to the Tajik Agriculture Ministry, the southern Khatlon Oblast is the most affected area where more than 23,000 hectares have been destroyed by locusts.

23,350 hectares have been invaded by locusts in Khatlon Oblast [Photo: FAO]

During March and April 2007, the Government of Tajikistan mobilized funds to procure 30,000 liters of pesticides to treat land in the four districts of Qumsangir, Khuroson, Rudaki and Gonchi on the border Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.  Additional pesticides however, were needed to treat the remaining areas where more than 12,000 households were going to be affected unless an immediate spraying campaign was launched.

CERF allocated funds to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to procure the necessary pesticides and mobilize local resources, including rural communities and local specialists together with the Ministry of Argriculture to immediately intervene to stop the locust outbreak.   The early drought in 2006, which led to a decrease in natural food resources, caused locusts to invade irrigated agricultural crops, causing considerable damage in the districts.  Members of Dehkan farming communities who grow seeds, vegetables, fruits, potatoes and cotton are most affected.  With the grant it will be possible to ensure future crop productivity and food security.

The Government of Tajikistan has also met with relevant officials in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan and both countries have agreed to coordinate locust treatment activities with Tajikistan through a regional approach.

[Last Update: 13 June 2007]

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CERF in Tajikistan 2008