DUSHANBE, December 14, Asia-Plus - Another seminar on agricultural reforms in Tajikistan was held in Dushanbe on December 13.

The seminar was held as part of the European Union’s project for supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of the agricultural policy in Tajikistan. 

Brian Morgan, team leader, EU-TACIS Program “Support to the Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of the Agricultural Policy, Tajikistan”, told Asia-Plus that the project has worked since July 2006, and four seminars for representatives from Tajikistan’s ministries of agriculture, finance and economy, as well as agencies for land-tenure and geodesy  had been conducted as part of this project since October.  

“Unfortunately, a process of development of agricultural economy is going on slowly in the country because of lack of appropriate infrastructure and technical consultations, as well as difficulties with access of farming units to loans,” said Morgan, “We hope our project will help the agriculture ministry assume the implementation of the agricultural policy in Tajikistan.” 

According to him, to conduct the seminars trainers use manuals prepared by international specialists in finance and budget and specialists in projecting agricultural policy.  

Besides Dushanbe, a series of similar seminars for 12 specialists in agriculture are conducted in four pilot districts across the country – Hamadoni, Yovon, Hissor and Jabborrasulov.  

The main objective of the project is to strengthen the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection’s capacity to develop, evaluate, implement and regularly improve the agricultural policy. 

Recommendations developed by participants in the seminars are expected to be submitted for consideration to the government.