BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 8. Tajikistan
commissioned an irrigation pipeline to supply water to more than
200 hectares of potato fields.


This was reflected in a press release published by the press
office of the Tajik president following President Emomali Rahmon's
visit to Shahristan district in the country’s Sughd region.


"The 500-meter irrigation pipeline, built using polyethylene
pipes, will ensure irrigation of more than 200 hectares of potato
fields," the presidential press service said.


According to the press release, Rahmon also reviewed projects to
develop 601 hectares of rain-fed and pasture land for potato
cultivation and to irrigate 1,007 hectares in three villages of the
Kuhistoni Mastchoh district.


High-yield potato varieties planted in the area are expected to
produce between 50 and 70 metric tons per hectare, the report
informs.







Farmers also plan to increase annual potato production in
Shahristan district to 100,000 tons, the press release noted.


Meanwhile, agriculture remains a cornerstone of Tajikistan's
economy, accounting for about 23% of GDP, 25% of exports and more
than 60% of total employment in 2024. Potato is one of the
country's key food crops, with production exceeding 1.26 million
tons last year, up 10.4% year-on-year.


Expanding irrigation infrastructure has become a government
priority as most of Tajikistan's crop production depends on
irrigated land. More than 90% of agricultural output comes from
irrigated farmland, but aging canals, pumping stations and drainage
systems continue to constrain productivity and increase water
losses. The government, supported by international partners
including the World Bank and the European Union, is implementing
large-scale reforms to modernize irrigation networks and improve
water management. In 2023, the World Bank and the EU launched the
$47.7 million Strengthening Water and Irrigation Management (SWIM)
project, which supports the preparation of Tajikistan's national
irrigation strategy and the rehabilitation of irrigation
infrastructure.


According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization,
Tajikistan has about 1.6 million hectares of potentially irrigable
land, although only around half of that area is currently irrigated
due to geographical and infrastructure constraints. Expanding
irrigation is viewed by the government as a key tool for increasing
agricultural output, strengthening food security and raising
exports of fruit, vegetables and other high-value crops.