© Helvetas

Tajikistan

Life is a daily struggle to survive for many Tajiks, especially farming families in remote regions of the country. Helvetas is improving their economic prospects in selected areas by providing access to markets as well as supporting the national water reforms and legal aid for socially disadvantaged strata of society.
© Helvetas
  • Capital
    Dushanbe
  • Area
    142,600 km²
  • Poverty rate*
    19% of the population live under the poverty line of $1.90 per day
  • UN DEVELOPMENT INDEX*
    Rank: 122 out of 191
  • Population
    8,670,000
  • People supported per year
    15,134
  • Thematic focus
    WASH & Water Governance
    Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion
    Education and Vocational Skills
    Gender & Social Equity
* Source: UN Data

Living conditions in Tajikistan are harsh: deep valleys, barren mountain massifs, hot summers, bitterly cold winters. Most of the population are farmers, but only 7% of the land area is arable. Tajikistan remains the poorest of the former Soviet republics.

Forgoing the use of chemical fertilizers

Helvetas has been active in Tajikistan since 2009, seeking to develop markets so farmers can improve their living standards. We put small-scale fruit and vegetable growers in touch with local processing plants and train them in ways of improving farming methods. Specifically, they learn to forgo the use of costly chemical fertilizers that pollute the environment, thereby improving the quality of their produce, which can then fetch higher market prices. Their income security is also shored up by firm supply contracts. One example is for the supply of organic apricots that are marketed in Switzerland and elsewhere.

Partner in implementing water reforms

Helvetas also supports the Tajik government in the implementation of a national water reform to increase agricultural productivity. This includes maintenance and repairs to irrigation canals and setting up institutions to administer the catchment areas and allot the water equitably.  

Addressing labor migration problems

Due to the lack of jobs in Tajikistan, many young men go abroad (mostly to Russia or Kazakhstan) to work for subsistence wages under what are sometimes inhumane conditions. This labor migration leaves a great many problems in its wake, especially for wives left behind. In many cases the men get a divorce from abroad. The women are abandoned, often with several children to take care of and no job prospects.

Free legal counseling

Helvetas runs legal aid centers in conjunction with the government, where women (and men, too) can inquire free of charge about their legal rights, e.g. regarding alimony and child support. They are also provided legal counsel in court if needed. Since the Tajiks, especially the rural population, hardly know their legal rights at all, campaigns to inform them have been launched on social media and mass media, such as public service announcements on TV, as well as at events and on posters.

Visit the website of Helvetas Tajikistan.

Our Projects in Central Asia

 If you would like to know more about our work in Tajikistan, click on each project for details.

© Helvetas
Kyrgyzstan Private Sector Development

Creating Jobs to Escape Poverty

© Helvetas
Tajikistan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Justice for All

© Helvetas
Tajikistan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Water for Sustainable Development

© Helvetas
Tajikistan Rural Access

Organic to Markets

© Helvetas
Tajikistan Climate & Disaster Resilience

For a Self-Determined Life in Dignity

© Helvetas
Kyrgyzstan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Public service improvement in Kyrgyzstan

© Helvetas
Kyrgyzstan Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Contributing to a More Cohesive Society in Kyrgyzstan

International bloggers visited Kyrgyzstan | © Helvetas
Kyrgyzstan Private Sector Development

Sustainable Winter Tourism Development Project

© Helvetas
Kyrgyzstan Education and Vocational Skills

Providing the Local Industry With Professionals

Rasht Valley Tajikistan | © Helvetas
Tajikistan Gender & Social Equity

Improved Nutrition and Health for Rural Families

Kyrgyzstan Private Sector Development

Sustainable Tourism Strengthens People and Nature

© Helvetas Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan Climate & Disaster Resilience

Green Economy for People and Environment

Private Sector Development

Youth need access to reliable, fairly paid jobs to break the cycle of poverty. Helvetas creates partnerships and promotes policies that build more inclusive economies.

Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

In many countries where we work, men and women are unable to claim their rights and participate actively in decision-making processes.

WASH & Water Governance

The most vulnerable communities suffer from dirty and scarce water. Annually we help up to 500,000 people get new access to drinking water and basic sanitation.
Contact

HELVETAS TAJIKISTAN
Bukhoro St 2A
734025 Dushanbe
Tajikistan

Phone:+992 37 221 5242
E-Mail: tajikistan@helvetas.org