Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan has welcomed a wave of donor initiatives aimed at revitalizing its agricultural landscape. For nearly three decades, the combined efforts of international organizations and development partners have sought to infuse the sector with innovation and support. Despite these investments and the growth generated, there is much potential still waiting to be unlocked.
“In Tajikistan, no single organization can tackle the challenges of agricultural development alone,” says Mohammad Shahroz Jalil, Chief of Party at the USAID-funded Market Driven Rural Development Activity (MDRD). Building on his extensive international experience, he says: “Our success lies in the ability to work together with other development partners to create synergies, avoid duplication, and ensure that every initiative supports the wider community’s growth.”
In a landscape filled with various initiatives, MDRD sees an opportunity to have a greater impact by aligning and collaborating with other development partners. By forging strong, intentional alliances with both local and international stakeholders, MDRD, as the market system pioneer in the country, is leading a model of collaborative development.
“This collaborative approach is not just about agricultural success; it’s about fostering a future where Tajikistan’s farmers can stand on their own, cultivating not just crops, but hope, stability, and prosperity for generations to come,” adds Mr. Jalil.
From Within: Using Homegrown Resources
Cooperation with other ACDI/VOCA initiatives has brought a fresh wave of growth to Tajikistan’s agricultural businesses, opening doors to essential financial support and new market opportunities. One of the most impactful collaborations was with AV Ventures (AVV), ACDI/VOCA’s for-profit subsidiary involved in impact investing, and linking them up with Furuz, a microfinance institution in Tajikistan which allowed us to channel an additional half million US dollars in loans to farmers.
“This partnership allowed us to extend financial services to the parts of Tajikistan that need it most,” says Hans Joachim Jaeckle, Furuz CEO.
This funding helps farmers expand their businesses, boost productivity, and introduce more modern agricultural practices. What stands out is that 30% of the loan recipients were women, and 17% were young people—demonstrating our dedication to gender equity and empowering the next generation in agriculture.
“By connecting impact investment funds with small and medium-sized businesses and credit organizations in Tajikistan, we work to strengthen the entire financial ecosystem that supports agricultural sector in the country.”
-Daler Ikromov, Market driven rural development activity
This approach brings more capital into the agricultural sector, allowing even more farmers to access the resources they need to grow and innovate.
MDRD also collaborates closely with the USAID-funded Employment and Enterprise Development Activity (EEDA), another ACDI/VOCA project in Tajikistan. This teamwork has been strengthened through initiatives like a joint weeklong training on market systems development (MSD), a special wider exchange conference on MSD, and a special forum for businesswomen, all held in Dushanbe, creating valuable connections and opportunities for growth. These events were full of discussions on important topics like access to finance, job creation, and working together, giving everyone a chance to learn and connect. This group effort lays the groundwork for further progress, expanding opportunities at the regional and international levels.
Stronger as One: Synergizing Efforts
We create synergy not only with other internal initiatives, but also with other USAID projects as well. One great example is the work with the USAID-funded Agriculture and Land Governance Activity to expand leasing of small and medium-sized greenhouses to the south of Tajikistan.
Khatlon province in Tajikistan has a vibrant, densely packed rural population of about four million and is now on the brink of an agricultural renaissance. Bringing modern solutions to this region is not just important—it’s essential. The impact of our joint work here is already visible, and the results are inspiring. In a year, more than 70 greenhouses of different scales and volumes have been leased or sold, a quarter of which to female farmers, like Saodat.
She compares her new greenhouse with her old, amateur-constructed one, and counts the advantages: “It’s sturdier, maintains a consistent temperature, and uses water more efficiently. Plus, the design allows for better airflow and sunlight, which means my tomatoes are growing healthier and faster than ever before.”
Together with another USAID-funded Central Asia regional project, Trade Central Asia, we have sent eight fruits processing brands from Isfara, leading players in the Central Asian fruits processing industry, to the international food fair in Istanbul, Turkey, last summer. For the first time, Tajikistan had its own country stand at this fair, attracting interest from international buyers and helping Tajikistan-made products gain attention on a global stage.
“Our stand was brimming with colorful displays of fruit, packaged goods, and bright banners that showcased the craftsmanship of Tajik producers,” says Masrur Gharibmamadov from MDRD, who accompanied the delegation at the fair.
Komron Rahmatulloev from Trade Central Asia adds, “Synergy and cooperation between USAID-funded projects are vital to fostering a more integrated approach to private sector development and enhancing competitiveness. Given that the projects often address different aspects of the value chain, their collaboration can significantly amplify impact while optimizing resource use.”
The success in creating synergy between projects has paved the way for even deeper partnerships.
United with UN: Paving the Way for Sustainable Growth
Teaming up with United Nations organizations has allowed MDRD to advance eco-friendly practices and open new pathways for Tajik businesses to thrive in the global market.
Jointly with the UNCTAD/WTO’s International Trade Centre (ITC), we organized a learning tour to neighboring Uzbekistan for 13 Tajik dried fruits exporters.
Ghayrat Qobilzoda, Deputy General, Chamber of Commerce and Trade, Sughd branch, said: “The study tour to Uzbekistan was an eye-opening experience for our dried fruits business. Our delegation has gained invaluable insights into the country’s rich agricultural practices and advanced processing equipment and technology.”
Saidmumin Kamolov, ITC project National Manager, adds “Definitely, collaboration with the key projects and development partners in Tajikistan’s agribusiness sector is very important for us to enhance synergies, promote cost efficiency, and prevent duplication. Our joint cooperation with MDRD in organizing a study tour to Uzbekistan has been successful and we are now working together to organize participation of the dried fruit producers of Tajikistan in an exhibition in Dubai next February.”
In collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), MDRD conducted a comprehensive feasibility study on cold storage facilities in Tajikistan, identifying critical gaps and opportunities in the sector.
“By assessing the availability and capacity of cold storage facilities, this initiative aims to reduce food waste and improve market access for Tajik farmers and producers”
-Aghasi Harutyunyan, FAO Representative ad interim in Tajikistan.
Building on these findings, both sides now work to introduce modern cold storage solutions tailored to local needs, ensuring better preservation of agricultural produce and reducing post-harvest losses.
A Vision for Tomorrow
In addition to our work with the United Nations and USAID-funded projects, MDRD also collaborates with other key development actors to drive progress in Tajikistan’s agricultural sector in partnerships with the private sector. For instance, through our partnership with German BMZ, we facilitated expanded access to mechanization by introducing German-made tractors and agricultural equipment to the local market.
Looking ahead, MDRD is committed in its mission to strengthen partnerships and expand its impact. Collaboration is essential for achieving sustainable change. The efforts made today are setting up the farmers, businesses, and communities of tomorrow to flourish, fostering a legacy of hope and prosperity for generations to come.
Learn more about the Market Driven Rural Development Activity.
Learn more about our work in Tajikistan.
