The results of the Tajik Agribusiness Competitiveness Project were summed up in Dushanbe. The 9-year initiative was implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with funding from the European Union. The closing event brought together representatives of the Bank, the EU, the Tajik government and local farmers.
The EBRD has sent over $24.5 million to over 1,220 farmers across Tajikistan. These loans were provided both directly and through partner banks of the EBRD and supported by EU grants in the amount of more than 5 million 650 thousand euros.
Moreover, these institutions also supported larger agricultural SMEs through the Direct Financing Channel.
“Over the years of independence of Tajikistan, the EBRD has implemented projects worth 900 million euros – about 160 projects. And we are very proud of all our projects, including ECTAP. And we hope that today, having closed this project, we will start working on new projects,” said Ayten Rustamova, EBRD Regional Director for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Investments included advanced equipment such as innovative tractors, drip irrigation systems, state-of-the-art cold stores, greenhouses, poultry farming lines and modern agricultural equipment.
The project contributed to improving the competitiveness and sustainability of Tajikistan’s agro-industrial complex, which employs about half of the country’s working population.
An exhibition of goods of Tajik beneficiary farmers was also organized at the event.
Source : Asia Plus Tj