7 June 2021, Dushanbe – In an effort to advance sustainable vegetable production in the greenhouses, FAO concluded a two-day training and field day today, held in the Dehkan Farm “Dubeda” in A. Jomi district of the Khatlon region.
This activity is part of an FAO project supporting sustainable greenhouse vegetable production as a high-income and profitable system for triggering agricultural development and economic growth in rural areas. Implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, this initiative also intends to contribute to creating jobs, income-generation and reducing undernourishment of the rural population.
The event provided a valuable occasion for the participants to further expand their knowledge and skills and strengthen technical capacities on producing vegetables in the greenhouses, especially during off-season, in energy-efficient greenhouses best adapted to local conditions, application of good farming practices, and better access to quality seeds and planting material, and developing seedling production.
27 farmers and rural households had an advantage to benefit from theoretical and practical presentations on various areas of sustainable vegetable and seedling production under protection.
In the framework of this project, guidelines and manuals for good agricultural practices (GAP) for vegetable production and conducting a season-long formal and on-the-job training have been developed for researchers, agricultural and extension specialists, farmers and rural households. Various members of the rural community, including women, men, and young farmers participated in the trainings on sustainable vegetable production in greenhouses and seedling production.
As a result of the project’s activities, the farmers have improved greenhouse vegetable cultivation with safe approach and high quality production. The project also introduces quality seeds and planting material and develops sustainable systems for crop, soil and water management. Particularly, integrated pest management to reduce the level of pesticide application and seedling production models were demonstrated and suitable species and varieties of vegetables for greenhouse cultivation recommended. This component of the project is implemented with the technical support from the Seed Association of Tajikistan (SAT).
“FAO, in close collaboration the Ministry of Agriculture, ensures sustainable agricultural development in the country. Under this project, FAO provides support and expertise to the ministry for the formulation of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Development of Greenhouse Crop Production in Tajikistan,” says Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Tajikistan. “It is expected that the project will contribute to the food security and increase incomes of smallholder farmers through development of vegetable production in small-scale greenhouses.”
Within this project two different designs of low-cost and energy-efficient greenhouses, suitable for cultivating vegetable in various agroclimatic zones of Tajikistan have been developed. In order to test, demonstrate and validate these designs six pilot greenhouses were constructed in Hisor, Danghara, Kulob, A. Jomi, Ayni and B. Ghafurov districts.
The project is funded by FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme.
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