Tajikistan will require approximately 15.2 billion somoni ($1.4 billion) in investments to achieve its national nutrition goals by 2030, according to a World Bank report, cited by Asiaplus.tj. Experts estimate that each somoni invested could yield up to 6.9 somoni in returns, while inaction could result in losses exceeding 4.6 billion somoni.
These figures were presented at the conference “Improving Nutrition Through Investment for a Sustainable Food System and Climate in Tajikistan”, held as part of the Dushanbe International Investment Forum. The event was organized by FAO, WHO, UNICEF, WFP, and the World Bank, with support from the Tajik government.
A key focus of the conference was climate-smart agriculture. FAO representative Abdudzhabbbor Hakimov noted that the Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) approach combines increasing crop yields, adapting to climate change, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In Tajikistan, technologies such as agroforestry, contour farming, drip irrigation, solar dryers, and biomass use are already being implemented.
The conference also highlighted the role of digital technologies and ICT in agriculture. Tools such as the IRRIGOPTIMAL app for irrigation forecasting and the SMAPP LAB Mini system, which uses AI to detect pests and protect crops, are actively deployed. Additionally, urban farms and hydroponic installations are being developed to grow food in limited spaces, especially in cities.
Nutrition trends and obesity were another focus. According to the WHO STEPS survey (2016–2023), the share of overweight individuals in Tajikistan rose from 46.7% to 50.8%, and obesity increased from 13.5% to 16.9%. At the same time, the proportion of people consuming insufficient fruits and vegetables fell from 62.7% to 52.2%, and the frequency of adding salt to meals decreased by nearly 10 percentage points.
Adolat Narzulloyeva from the Ministry of Health of Tajikistan emphasized that changing dietary habits requires continuous public education. WHO recommends programs to reduce salt and sugar intake, promote physical activity, and monitor blood pressure and sugar levels.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 15, 2025