National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the Period to 2015

The National Development Strategy is a national multi-sectoral strategy of Tajikistan for the period of 2007/8-2015. Its main objective is to strengthen social and political stability and to achieve the economic prosperity and social well-being of the people of Tajikistan in an environment shaped by the supremacy of the principles of a market economy, freedom, human dignity and equal opportunities for each person to realise his or her potential.
In the area of food security, the document provides for development of the production block as an integrated system: reorientation of sectoral policy toward achieving national goals and priorities; diversification and modernisation of production; increasing export potential; ensuring food security; development of competition; lifting of excessive administrative barriers; protection of the rights of consumers; and environmental protection. The Strategy also emphasizes that support will be given to efforts to improve the dietary status of women, which will include ensuring access to fortified foods and providing micronutrient supplements for women, as well as measures aimed at changing eating habits and promoting healthful food choices.
In the area of environmental protection, the document aims to strengthen institutional potential with a view to promoting environmental sustainability; resolve problems associated with natural disasters through their prevention and the effective management of natural resources; and promote conservation and proper management of biodiversity and ecosystems, including by raising environmental awareness among the public and businesses to promote the sound use and conservation of natural resources; development of public-private partnership mechanisms with a view to promoting environmental sustainability; implementing measures to preserve specially protected natural areas and to restore forest resources and pastureland; and developing an integrated pest management system.
The Strategy also details measures for raising the productivity of agricultural operations, to include strengthening the private sector in rural areas by: (a) improving the efficiency of cotton production and resolving the problem of cotton debts; (b) developing entrepreneurial activity in agriculture and ensuring equal rights and guarantees for land use; and (c) rebuilding and developing irrigation systems. In addition, it aims for sustained strong growth in agricultural output and a stronger financial and economic position for producers. It notes that this will be achieved through the completion of agricultural and land reform and the resolution of cotton debt problems. Other positive factors will include expanded land-use rights and better protection for ownership rights to goods produced. Producers will enjoy broader access to markets, accompanied by a reduction in excessive administrative barriers. The investment climate for agricultural production will be enhanced and technologies will be updated. All of these efforts will make it possible to cut the rural poverty rate by at least half. A voluntary pooling of land shares is expected, which will promote the development of cotton production and make it possible to achieve a significant increase in the yields, productivity and profitability of this sector. The production of other agricultural crops that are in demand in the domestic and foreign markets will be revived and developed. The animal husbandry sector will be developed to take account of demand.
The monitoring of the Strategy implementation and the evaluation of progress in achieving its goals will be carried out by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. The monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy results have been combined into a single tracking process that will be performed throughout the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and other related tactical documents on the basis of reference indicators.