Investment in an orchard on a hill slope, tractor and sprayer to increase farm productivity
A farmer invests in an orchard on a hill slope, energy-efficient tractor and a mounted sprayer to boost overall production and to prevent soil erosion.
Mr. Rajabov Nuzuliddin manages a 20-hectare farm and rents additional 4.2 hectares in Hisor, one of the agricultural regions of Tajikistan. Hisor valley is known to be a core agricultural location for growing grapes, berries and apples for wholesale trade. As an experienced farmer and an agronomist, in 2010 he decided to open a dehkan farm “24-Solagii Istiqloliyati Jumhurii Tojikiston”, to start gardening, viticulture and grow berries, as well as manage their processing. In his farm works more than 30 seasonal employees and half of them are female.
Mr. Rajabov approached one of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) partner banks for a GEFF loan of US$ 44,193. He spent two-thirds of the loan to purchase seedlings for the orchard while the rest was used for a tractor (Model Luzhong 604A from China) and a mounted sprayer. The GEFF team performed the project analysis, assessed the potential of energy and resource savings and technical eligibility.
The availability of the European Union (EU) investment incentive of 30% makes the financing more accessible to farmers.
The green investment allowed the farmer to prevent soil erosion by 22.39 tons per year, reduce fuel consumption by 2,048 kg per year, resulting in the annual costs savings of US$ 1,882. Mr. Rajabov also decided to install agro-processing equipment as an additional source of revenue.
“This new intensive orchard has not yet borne fruit, but apples, nectarine and other agricultural products that were grown on the farm we could not export to neighbouring countries due to the closure of borders. We had to sell them at low prices on the domestic market and received insignificant income.”, said Mr. Rajabov.
GEFF Tajikistan is supported by the European Union, the Green Climate Fund and South Korea.
GEFF Tajikistan [Agricultural Value Chains] helps Tajik farmers and agribusinesses adopt technology solutions that can enhance competitiveness of the agricultural value chains.
This project is funded by the European Union
In partnership with:
South Korea
