Farm and Privatization Support Project
“We don’t have time to pause," Amon Lolayev, farmer Privatization of state and collective farms leads to rich crops
 Mahmadali Safarov, a farmer from Tajikistan's Varzob district, has a big family and six hectares of privatized land. Two years ago he received a land certificate and joined two local water-users associations—developments that would have been unthinkable in the Soviet era.
Last fall the benefit of change became tangible: a rich crop of potatoes—specifically, 54 tons from two hectares. The remaining two-thirds of his land is set aside for wheat, cabbage, and carrots—and more: one of Mahmadali’s sons proudly shows a visitor Dutch tomatoes the family grows in a large greenhouse on the property.
World Bank helps increase agricultural productivity by teaching farmers to plan their activites
 Safarov’s neighbor, Amon Lolayev, an elderly farmer, has an even bigger family of 29 people. “We don’t have time to pause," Amon says, recounting the change that has been sweeping up farmers like him.
At the family council they plan their activities thoroughly. They have been guided by a seminar organized with the help of the World Bank as part of its US$ 20 million Farm Privatization Support Project. "While some of us concentrate on the wheat, our women are selling onions at the nearest market,” he explains.
More than half the country's people depend on agriculture for their livelihood
Tajikistan relies heavily on its agricultural sector, which generates more than 40 percent of the national income and employs over half of the country's work force. However, due to its mountainous landscape, the country has only 800,000 hectares of arable land, or 6 percent of its territory.
Following the demise of the Soviet Union and the economic depression caused by the ensuing civil war, Tajikistan’s food production declined drastically.
Agricultural growth essential for Tajikistan to be self -sufficient in food
 The country has not been able to import enough food to close the gap, and without foreign aid there would have been a disastrous food shortage. However, it was evident that this aid could not last forever and something needed to be done to increase domestic agricultural capacity.
Tajikistan’s annual wheat production is not sufficient to cover domestic demand. For those who can afford to pay the equivalent of nearly US$ 18 for a 50-kilogram sack of wheat flour, the market provides a plentiful supply of both local and imported products. This is beyond the means of most people, however: according to the latest United Nations Human Development Report, 83 percent of Tajikistan's population lives below the poverty line. In this context, private farming stands out as a promising area for increased food production and employment. World Bank project helps redistribute land and gives cash grants to farmers  The Government of Tajikistan has allowed limited private land ownership since 1996. The World Bank project, launched in February 2000, covers 5,782 farms converted from Soviet-era collective enterprises.
The project enabled the fair distribution of these old farms and organized programs where farmers, under the guidance of scientists, tested various crops and farming methods.
Cash grants ranging from US$ 300 to 600 were given to all farmers, and micro-credits were offered to those who were able to come up with viable business plans.
Farmers trained in management and new methods
 One of the most important benefits of the project will be the new learning for farmers in finance, management, land surveys, and efficient irrigation techniques. In its first phase the project educated 150 trainers, who in turn trained 3,000 farmers. It is estimated that an additional 6,000 farmers will be trained in 2004.
These farmers are on the right track to prosperity. "We've set up two water-users associations thanks to the project," Amon Lolayev says. One is for irrigation, the other for drinking water. "The collection rate is nearly 100 percent, which allows us to invest the money to develop our community."
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