In Tajikistan, Director-General visits innovative meat, poultry and fish producers and proposed GIAHS site

Dushanbe - FAO Director-General QU Dongyu visited innovative meat, poultry and fish production facilities as well as an integrated agropastoral system, which has been proposed by Tajikistan as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) on a three-day official visit to the country.

The Director-General and his delegation toured the LLC Marmari poultry slaughterhouse. The company employs a closed production cycle, utilizing modern, high-performance equipment and natural ingredients to ensure strict quality control at every stage of the process.

They additionally visited LLC Acoma, a local producer of meat products which has eliminated the use of meat substitutes and flavor enhancers. The company says its products offer a more authentic natural taste, owing to the use of high-quality marbled meat and meticulously selected spices. It has also gained Halal certification.

Another site visited was the LLC Bahor trout farm, located near Vahdat, located about 20 km east of Dushanbe. The farm operates 21 ponds, cultivating rainbow trout, river trout, and amber trout. In 2020, the farm produced 30 tons of fish. 

It currently employs about 50 staff, and having cold storage facilities with a 100-ton capacity, it can supply both domestic and export markets. The expansion of fishponds is an ongoing part of the national fish farming program.

The Director-General congratulated the founder, Sayfov Saymuhriddin, for his achievements in developing a successful business and invited him to consider presenting his experience at the annual World Food Forum, which will take place in October 2025 at FAO Headquarters in Rome.

The Director-General also visited the Sarband area in the south-west of Tajikistan, where three thousand hectares of pasture lands are currently affected by hoppers of Moroccan locust. During the visit, the Director-General and the Minister of Agriculture of Tajikistan saw first-hand the damage caused by the locust and the further threat they may pose to nearby crops. They also discussed ways to address the situation through current FAO projects and exploring possible future initiatives.

Proposed GIAHS site

The Director-General went on to visit the Almosi Valley, which has been nominated by Tajikistan for inclusion in FAO’s flagship Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) initiative. 

This integrated agropastoral system combines seasonal transhumance of sheep with the cultivation of grapes, cereals, orchards, and vegetables. Shaped over centuries, it supports food and livelihood security, conserves agrobiodiversity and preserves cultural heritage while sustaining resilient communities facing soil erosion, water scarcity, and climate variability.

During his visit, the Director-General saw presentations of national culture, folk crafts, as well as the region’s distinctive “Hisori” sheep breed and “Taifi” grapes. 

The Director-General and his delegation also visited the agricultural machinery company “Agrotekhservice” in Hisor city, which imports, assembles, and produces tractors and other equipment, with a capacity of up to 700 units annually, and also exports machinery to neighboring countries. The visit highlighted the company’s role in advancing agri-mechanization and regional cooperation.

Climate-smart practices

In Chamaniston jamoat, Hisor city, the Director-General visited a 0.5-hectare greenhouse specializing in the cultivation of tomatoes and cucumbers. The facility utilizes modern drip irrigation technology to optimize water use and enhance productivity. The visit highlighted the potential of climate-smart practices and efficient resource management in boosting sustainable horticulture and supporting local food security in Tajikistan.

At the Tajik Agrarian University, the Director-General met with professors and students for a dialogue on the future of sustainable agriculture in Tajikistan and beyond. The discussion focused on innovation, youth involvement and the critical role of education in building resilient food systems.

The visit to the university concluded with a symbolic tree planting ceremony, reflecting a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, knowledge growth, and long-term partnership between FAO and the academic community.

You can see more images from the DIrector-General’s visit to Tajikistan here