Tajikistan is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in Central Asia. The effects of climate change are already visible in the form of increased temperatures, extreme weather events, and glacial melt. The agricultural sector is hugely affected, resulting in water stress and high losses from disasters and low productivity. In this regard, advisories, alerts, and robust early warning systems are essential for farmers and rural dwellers to prepare for and adapt to changes in the climate.

 In 2019, FAO, with the support of the European Union, installed three automated weather stations, each in a different region (Tursunzoda, Konibodom, and J. Balkhi) characterized by intensive production of grapes, apricots, and cottons. The weather stations support the Agrometeorology Department in gathering important climate data from each region and producing advanced agrometeorological information for the local producers on weather changes, plant diseases, and yield forecasts, all of which help them mitigate the impact of climate change.

Activities related to the strengthened agrometeorological services and early-warning systems are part of the project “Strengthening institutions and capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and State Veterinary Inspection Service for policy formulation” funded by the European Union. The main objective of the project is to assist the government in institutional reforms of the agricultural sector, including food safety and security, among others.

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