Agriculture and food in Tajikistan

Agriculture in Tajikistan

Tajikistan, officially the Republic of Tajikistan, is a landlocked country in Central Asia with an area of 143,100 square kilometers (55,300 sq mi) and an estimated population of 8.7 million people as of 2016. It is bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. The traditional homelands of the Tajik people include present-day Tajikistan as well as parts of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The territory that now makes up Tajikistan was previously home to several ancient cultures, including the city of Sarazm of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, and was later inhabited by ancient Iranian peoples. Tajikistan was colonized by the Russian Empire in the 19th century, and much of its current borders were established during the 20th century. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan declared independence in 1991. Tajikistan is a presidential republic consisting of four provinces. Most of Tajikistan's 8.7 million people belong to the Tajik ethnic group, who speak Tajik (a variety of Persian). Many Tajiks also speak Russian as their second language. Mountains cover more than 90% of the country. Islam is the religion of about 95% of the population. The economy of Tajikistan is the poorest in Central Asia, having been dependent on subsidies from Russia during the Soviet era and agriculture after independence. Industrial output consists mainly of aluminum and electricity production, although cotton textiles and food processing are important sectors. The country faces the major problem of corruption. According to Transparency International's 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index, Tajikistan ranked as the 150th-most corrupt country in the world. The legal system of Tajikistan is based on the civil law system and Islamic law. The Constitution of Tajikistan was adopted in 1994 and amended in 1999 and 2003. Executive power is exercised by the President of Tajikistan, who is the head of state, and the Government of Tajikistan, headed by the Prime Minister of Tajikistan. Legislative power is vested in both the President and Parliament. The Judiciary is nominally independent of the executive and the legislature. Since its independence, Tajikistan has had significant problems with drug trafficking, crime, corruption, and Islamic extremism. These have hindered the country's development and cooperation with international organizations. Tajikistan is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Eurasian Economic Community, and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The landscapes of Tajikistan are some of the most varied and beautiful in Central Asia. From the snow-capped peaks of the Pamir Mountains to the lush green valleys of the Fergana Valley, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this landlocked country. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Tajikistan is to go on a hike through one of its many national parks. The most popular park is the Pamir-Alay National Park, which covers an area of over 1 million hectares. This park is home to some of the highest mountains in the world, including Mount Communism, which is the tallest peak in Tajikistan. Other popular parks include the Fann Mountains National Park and the Zeravshan Nature Reserve. Tajikistan is home to a great diversity of plants and animals. The country's mountains, forests, and rivers provide habitat for many different species of animals, including rare and endangered species. Some of the best-known animals in Tajikistan include the Marco Polo sheep, the snow leopard, the brown bear, the ibex, and the argali. Tajikistan's mountains are also home to many different kinds of birds, including the rare and endangered Siberian crane. The country's forests are home to a great diversity of plant life, including many rare and endangered species. Some of the most well-known plants in Tajikistan include the tulip, the lotus, the yew, and the gingko. Tajikistan is also home to a great diversity of people. The country's population is made up of many different ethnic groups, including Tajiks, Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, Russians, and others. This diversity is reflected in the country's culture, which is a blend of many different traditions. Tajikistan's economy is based largely on agriculture, hydropower, and aluminum production. In recent years, however, the service sector has grown significantly, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP in 2016. The country also boasts significant deposits of gold, silver, and zinc. The Tajikistani somoni (TJS) is the national currency of Tajikistan. The economy of Tajikistan saw a dramatic improvement after the country's independence in 1991, with GDP growth averaging 9% per year from 1992-1999. This strong economic performance was driven by a combination of factors, including favorable market reforms, ample foreign assistance, and political stability. However, the country's economy stagnated in the early 2000s due to the after-effects of the Civil War, a sharp decline in aluminum prices, and the closure of the main hydroelectric plant due to a severe drought. GDP growth averaged just 3.5% per year from 2000-2007. The global financial crisis of 2008 hit Tajikistan hard, with GDP growth falling to -5.2% in 2009. However, the economy quickly rebounded and grew 7.6% in 2010 and 8.3% in 2011 on the back of strong aluminum prices and increased hydroelectric generation. The economy continued to grow at a rate of more than 7% per year from 2012-2015, driven by continued increases in aluminum and hydropower production, as well as strong performance in the service sector. The Tajikistani government has taken steps to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on aluminum and hydropower. In recent years, the country has seen significant growth in the tourism and telecommunications sectors. The government is also seeking to attract foreign investment in the mining, energy, and agriculture sectors. Tajikistan is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Central Asian Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The country has also signed bilateral free trade agreements with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Agriculture is the mainstay of the Tajik economy, accounting for about 40% of GDP and employing some 60% of the population. The sector is dominated by smallholder subsistence farming, with around 90% of farms being smaller than 2 hectares. Most rural households rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, and a significant proportion of the urban population also depends on the sector for employment and income. Tajikistan is predominantly an agrarian country with a large rural population. The main types of agricultural production are grain farming, livestock husbandry, and horticulture. Grain farming is the most important type of agriculture in Tajikistan, accounting for about 60% of the sector’s total output. The main grain crops grown in the country are wheat, maize, and rice. Livestock husbandry is the second most important type of agriculture in Tajikistan, accounting for about 30% of the sector’s total output. The main types of livestock raised in the country are cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Horticulture is the third most important type of agriculture in Tajikistan, accounting for about 10% of the sector’s total output. The main types of fruits and vegetables grown in the country are grapes, apples, apricots, tomatoes, potatoes, and cabbage. Tajikistan’s climate is generally suitable for agriculture. The country has two main climatic zones: the continental zone, which covers about 60% of the territory, and the subtropical zone, which covers the rest. The continental zone has hot summers and cold winters, while the subtropical zone has milder winters and hotter summers. Tajikistan is a culturally rich and diverse country. The main religion is Islam, which has had a profound impact on the country's culture. Other significant influences include Persian, Russian, and Central Asian cultures. The Tajik people are known for their traditional music, dance, and poetry. One of the most popular musical instruments is the doira, a type of drum. Tajikistan is also home to a number of traditional festivals, such as Nowruz, which marks the start of spring. The country's cuisine is similar to that of other Central Asian countries and features dishes such as plov (a rice dish), shurpa (a soup), and samsa (a type of pastry). Tajikistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia with a population of about 8.5 million people. It is bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. Dushanbe is the capital and largest city. Tajikistan has a wide range of landscapes, from mountains and valleys to deserts. The official language is Tajik (a form of Persian), but Russian is also widely spoken. The currency is the somoni. The majority of the population is Muslim, with a small minority of Christians and other religions. Tajikistan is a mountainous country located in Central Asia. The highest point is Mount Emomali Rahmon, at 7,495 meters (24,590 feet). The climate varies from subtropical to continental. Tajikistan is a secular state, and freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution. However, the Government restricts some religious activities. The majority of Tajikistan's population is Sunni Muslim. Other religious groups include Shia Muslims, Russian Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Buddhists. There have been reports of religious discrimination and harassment by the government. For example, in 2012, the government banned the import of some Islamic books and materials. In addition, some religious groups have been denied registration by the government. The government has also been accused of using education and employment to pressure people to renounce their faith. For example, some Muslim clerics have been fired from their jobs and denied pensions because they refused to renounce their faith. In addition, some religious groups have been denied permission to build places of worship. The government has also been accused of discriminating against minority religious groups. For example, in 2012, a group of Shia Muslims was attacked by a mob of Sunni Muslims. The government has also been accused of harassing and detaining members of the Jehovah's Witnesses.