A greenhouse helps a Tajik farmer triple his income and save water

A tomatoes and greenery farmer invested in a greenhouse to use water more efficiently and triple his income by extending the growing season.

Mr. Shamirov has been growing tomatoes and greenery for many years on the high plateau of the Eastern Pamirs. The growing season is short due to high elevation of 3,500 m and winters are harsh and long. In this remote village of GBAO region, fresh produce is expensive due to both the weather conditions and the logistical challenges of securing the produce. Mr. Shamirov saw an opportunity to boost his production and his income by investing in a greenhouse.

Mr. Shamirov approached one of the EBRD’s partner banks for a loan of USD 2,100. The CLIMADAPT team performed the project analysis, assessed the potential of energy savings, financial-technical parameters and risks.

The farmer constructed a 200 square meter greenhouse, which was both profitable and affordable. The green house payed off in one season as a result of Mr. Shamirov tripling his income by selling fresh tomatoes and greenery in the local market while also saving 330 m3 of water per year on irrigation.

Mr. Shamirov is now planning to construct several more greenhouses.

The Tajikistan Climate Resilience Financing Facility, CLIMADAPT is developed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and supported by the Climate Investment Funds’ Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (CIF PPCR), the United Kingdom and the EBRD Early Transition Countries (ETC) Fund.