DUSHANBE, Mrch 6, 2012, Asia-Plus -- An agricultural exhibition was organized in the scope of the EU funded project “Poverty alleviation in rural communities of Khatlon and Sughd provinces, through agro value chain development, improved local governance and the promotion of sustainable farming livelihoods in rural areas,” press release issued by the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan on March 6 said.

The French NGO ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development) facilitated the exhibition. The exhibition aimed to develop and improve cooperation in the sphere of agribusiness, as well as establish mutually advantageous business relations between farmers, members of cooperatives and providers of goods.

The chairman of the Farkhor district administration Qurbonboy Karimov mentioned the following at the exhibition’s official opening: “I want to thank the European Union and ACTED for organizing this event in Farkhor district.  An agro business exhibition is a good opportunity for local agricultural producers and farmers to meet with suppliers and buyers of agricultural products to sell their goods, conclude business contracts, invest in the development of the agricultural sector and increase their knowledge in the fields of management, marketing and production.”

The agricultural exhibition differed from previous events, as representatives from 6 sectors of the local agricultural economy shared their expertise and products with their peers.  The aforementioned agricultural sectors included: the product sector; the machinery and equipment sector; the means of production sector; the processing sector; and the advisory services sector.

Experts from the machinery and equipment sector offered their tillage and transportation services, and the product sector’s contribution were showcasing a host of products from honey to dairy products.  The means of production sector was the most widely represented given that bringing together manufacturers and suppliers of goods was  an integral part of the exhibition.

Within the processing sector, four cooperatives that process and dry agricultural items were on present to display their produce.  Lastly the advisory services sector included banks and microfinance institutions that provided information on a variety of agricultural credit products and business extension service providers, offering a range of business and agricultural consultancy service to local farmers.

Khursand Barotov, a chairman of ‘Zafar Cooperative’ stated: “This is the third time we have participated in an agricultural exhibition funded by the EU. Today we brought seeds and organic fertilizers produced by our cooperative.”

The future looks bright for agribusiness in Farkhor.  The agricultural exhibition successfully brought together a variety of local actors and its objective was clearly met.  Indeed, 70% of exhibition participants stated that they found a potential partner for future agribusiness cooperation, and the results of the exhibition as well as information about the exhibitors will be used as a basis for preparing a manual on supplying agricultural products to farmers in the months and years ahead.

The exhibition hosted 28 exhibitors from 7 cities and regions of Tajikistan with 1000 visitors attending in total.