Two of our dedicated veterans and the driving forces behind the MDRD project, Nodir Ibrohimzoda and Muzaffar Yorazizov, celebrate their 11th work anniversary with ACDI/VOCA. As pillars of our organization in Tajikistan, we couldn’t let this milestone pass without asking them to reflect on their journey. What do they remember about their first days at ACDI/VOCA? What kept them motivated all these years? And, of course, did they face any memorable challenges along the way? We hope their experiences inspire the next generation of changemakers!
The beginning
Nodir: “I joined ACDI/VOCA with ten years of experience working on the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program for other implementing agencies. And I didn’t come alone—I brought the F2F program and my team along with me.”
Muzaffar: “Exactly! I was part of that team that joined with Nodir and F2F. At the time, the ACDI/VOCA office had over 30 staff members. It was busy—constant hustle and bustle, endless discussions. I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, and Nodir saw that. He turned to me and said, “Get used to it! There’s a lot of hard work ahead.”
What motivated you to stay for 11 years?
Muzaffar: “It’s the mission to use my knowledge to help people, especially in rural areas where my roots are. My team, the opportunity to grow professionally, and seeing the tangible results of our work kept me here.”
Nodir: “I was responsible for managing the F2F program and representing ACDI/VOCA in Tajikistan, which was an exciting combination of roles. Plus, I had the chance to be part of ACDI/VOCA’s New Business Development team, which added another layer of responsibility and growth to my journey.”
Any significant challenges along the way?
Muzaffar: “The biggest challenge for me was during the COVID-19 restrictions. The unknown was terrifying for everyone. While other programs closed their offices, our team kept working. We didn’t stop helping farmers, even during the pandemic.”
Nodir: “For me, significant challenges usually come in the last year of any program when the budget gets tight. We needed $200,000 to carry us through the final year of our F2F round. I had over two dozen meetings with the donor to convince them to provide the funds. And guess what? Instead of just getting the $200,000, USAID offered us a new associate award for a brand-new program—MDRD—with a budget of about $20 million! 100 times more than we wanted! Muzaffar and I were part of the proposal writing team for that.
That should not be the only achievement you are proud of, right?
Nodir: “Right! I’m particularly proud that we were able to introduce innovations like intensive gardening, recto-cervical artificial insemination, and drip irrigation. During all these years we have supported more than 20,000 beneficiaries directly, with around 150,000 indirect ones, all thanks to USAID, changing the mindset of Tajik farmers in the fruit, vegetable, and livestock sectors.
Changing mindset?
Nodir: “Some farmers were skeptical and said, “We’ve been farming for decades, what could someone from another country teach us? Just give us the money you’re spending on them, and we’ll do it ourselves!” But after a year of the program, their tune changed completely. We had farmers lining up for assistance!”
Muzaffar: “Our program played a major role in shifting from outdated orchard management methods to modern gardening in Tajikistan. ACDI/VOCA’s contributions to intensive gardening in Khatlon completely transformed the sector. We helped bring about that change, and it’s something I’m very proud of.”
11 years cannot be without some funny moments to remember and share!
Muzaffar: “Oh yes! I remember about 10 years ago we were demonstrating proper tree pruning techniques in Khatlon with an American agronomist. The local farmers were so outraged they almost threw stones at us! At that time, they thought pruning was practically a crime against the tree.
How did you change their minds?
Muzaffar: laughs “The trees changed their minds for us! The next year, when they saw how much better the pruned trees were doing and the quality of the fruit, they were convinced. As the saying goes, it’s better to see once than to hear a hundred times.
What advice would you give to newcomers at ACDI/VOCA?
Nodir: “Always do your work professionally. If you don’t know something, learn it. No one is born an expert. Avoid getting emotional and focus on the professional side. Judge people by their work—honesty and reliability go a long way.”
Muzaffar: “To anyone starting out at ACDI/VOCA, I’d say: “Welcome to the team. Believe in yourself, and you will succeed!”
Learn more about the Market Driven Rural Development Activity.
Learn more about our work in Tajikistan.
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