DUSHANBE, August 17, 2016, Asia-Plus -- An agricultural battalion has been set up in Tajikistan’s armed forces.

An official ceremony of the establishment of the agricultural battalion that took place in Vahdat Township on August 17 was attended by Prime Minister Qohir Rasoulzoda.

An official source in the Tajik government says the new battalion will provide units of the Tajik national army with food products that had previously been imported into the country from abroad.

The agricultural battalion reportedly has enterprises for processing farm produce, including meat products.

“The agricultural battalion is intended to provide the Tajik national army with honey, dried fruits, condensed milk, various canned products, jams,” the source said. 

The agricultural battalion is subordinate to the Special Property Procurement Agency under the Government of Tajikistan, which has more than 23,000 hectares of farmland, subsidiary poultry and fish growing farms, etc., the source added.