The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $17 million grant to help Tajikistan digitalize and modernize its livestock farming sector, aiming to increase farmer incomes and improve access to nutritious food. The financing includes a $14 million grant from the Asian Development Fund and a $3 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific. Livestock farming is a crucial part of Tajikistan’s agricultural economy, which employs over 40% of the population, yet farmers face multiple challenges, including climate impacts, outdated veterinary services, and limited access to digital tools—barriers that particularly affect women, who are often primary caretakers of livestock.
According to ADB Country Director Ko Sakamoto, the project will support Tajikistan in creating a national digital livestock system, improving veterinary services, and strengthening pasture areas to make them more resilient to climate change. These improvements are expected to result in healthier animals, higher farmer incomes, improved nutrition for communities, and expanded leadership opportunities for women in livestock farming.
The project will introduce a national digital livestock system capable of tracking animal health, monitoring livestock movement, and certifying animals for domestic and export markets. Public breeding and veterinary services in pilot districts will be upgraded to commercial standards, helping attract private investment. A national artificial insemination center will be improved, and a facility for safe storage of genetic material will be established. Mobile clinics and veterinary centers will be equipped with diagnostic tools to strengthen vaccine cold chains and improve disease control. Training schools will also be modernized, with scholarships and a national women veterinarians’ network created to advance gender inclusion.
Pasture management will be enhanced through climate-resilient measures such as developing a national digital pasture health map, upgrading an animal migration point with shelters and washing stations, and deploying mobile veterinary facilities. Community groups will be trained to sustainably manage grazing lands and improve pasture health.
The Ministry of Agriculture will lead project implementation, supported by the Committee for Food Security. The project is expected to be completed by 2031. Tajikistan’s long-standing partnership with ADB has already delivered major results, including modernized roads, upgraded irrigation systems, improved power infrastructure, and rehabilitated hydropower plants. ADB continues to support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across the Asia-Pacific region through innovative financing and strategic partnerships.
