Tajikistan has great potential for the development of agro-industry. Therefore, the government pays special attention to it, as rapid industrialization of the economy and ensuring food security are key strategic goals. During the annual address of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, “On Major Dimensions of Tajikistan’s Foreign and Domestic Policy”, he emphasized the importance of “green financing for the implementation of industrial and infrastructure projects, especially those that are important from the point of view of the environment and food security”. http://president.tj/en/node/29825
The Institute of Economy and Trade of the Tajik State University of Commerce in Khujand (IET TSUC), of which the Union of Tojikmatlubot is a part, is primarily focused on contributing to the achievement of the country’s strategic goals and the mission of the Union of Tojikmatlubot. One of the main goals of the Union of Tojikmatlubot is directly related to the 3rd strategic goal of Tajikistan – “Food security”.
The Union of Tojikmatlubot in its structure has supported farms, which have 314 hectares of orchards and vineyards, of which 49.5 hectares are orchards and 264.5 hectares are productive vineyards. On average, more than 450 tons of grapes and more than 110 tons of fruit are harvested annually from these orchards and vineyards. To effectively use the dry land, about 10-15 hectares of new orchards and vineyards are planted every year. In the livestock farms of the commune, there are 167 cattle, 1066 small cattle, and 938 bee families. At present, there are 3 especially supported farms: “Shirkent”, Tursunzoda district, “Hisor”, Rudaki district, and “Sagirdasht” beekeeping farm under the jurisdiction of the Union of Tajikmatlubot.
In this context, IET TSUC has intentions to improve its structure, facilities, activities, and directions of cooperation to contribute to and support the vision of the establishment of the Union of Tajikistan. As a result, the following partnership with Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University (NWAFU), Yangling, Shanxi Province, P.R. of China was strengthened and brought to a strategic level. NWAFU is the top university in the field of agriculture, recognized globally. According to latest, ESI ranking, its agriculture science ranked 0.1‰ among the universities in the world.
As part of this partnership, the honorary delegation of NWAFU led by Dr. Yufeng Zou, deputy director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office, and scholars: Qingfang Han, Professor at the College of Agronomy; Junhu Ruan, Professor at the College of Economics and Economic Management; Tibin Zhang, Associate Professor at the National Engineering Research Center for Water Saving Irrigation in Yangling; Shaohui Ouyang, Associate Professor at the School of Food Science and Engineering; and Fengxin Yan, Associate Professor at the College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, visited the Tajik Agrarian University (TAU) named after Shirnishoh Shohtemur and IET TSUC. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen partnerships in agriculture, hold seminars in the framework of the AGREENTAJ project, as well as to sign a memorandum for innovation alliance in the framework of AGREENTAJ, and organize field-side research.
On the first day, July 19, the delegation met with the Rector of TAU, Prof. Mahmadyorzoda Usmon Mamur, and his team. Mahmadyorzoda Usmon Mamur and his team to discuss the partnership and ways to improve bilateral relations. The two sides agree to support mutually beneficial projects as both are members of the Silkroad Agricultural Education and Research Innovation Alliance. The Rector of TAU emphasized the importance of partnerships with Chinese universities, especially with NWAFU, in various aspects, including joint research, the establishment of technoparks, laboratories, joint study programs, and internship programs. Deputy Director Yufeng Zou supported the initiatives and ideas of TAU and invited the university team to visit Yangling for the International Conference in September this year. After the roundtable, the university organized a tour of its facilities – technoparks, and greenhouses, and the performance of these objects was discus
The agenda of the NWAFU delegation in Khujand, Sughd region was very intensive. A full-day program on July 20 started with a meeting with the Director of IET TSUC, Professor Hoshimzoda Homid Hasan, Vice Director of Research and International Affairs Dalerjon Mirpochoev, and Head of International Center & Global Engagement Saidqosim Mukhtorov and other staff and partners from companies. Director warmly welcomed the delegation at the gates of the main campus. Both sides after introducing their universities, and their missions and goals found a common ground to expand bilateral cooperation.
IET TSUC has a strong partnership relationship with NWAFU since 2019. The two universities established a partnership under the European Union’s Erasmus+ program, the UNICAC project, with the support and contribution of Associate Professor Fengxin YAN. Since then, they have been working together on international research and capacity-building projects. The two sides have great interest in continuing the partnership and building a better connection between China and Tajikistan in education, science, technology, and economy.
The productive meeting was followed by a series of seminars held by honorary scholars of NWAFU on the following topics: agricultural studies, water and soil management, mechanization technologies for agricultural modernization, e-commerce of agricultural products, and wheat quality studies. The IET TSUC also invited local business partners, technologists of LLC Farovon, and specialists of PO Quality Management Center After.
The whole group had a visit to the facilities of LLC Farovon, the production of animal feed. The chief technologist Jaffarjon Ibragimov demonstrated the work of the factory, production lines, capacities, and efficiency of production, equipment, and intelligent management center. After the tour, the round table on business cooperation between LLC Farovon and the partners of NWAFU was hosted by the management of the company, the Head of HR Ilhomjon Sattorov presented the group of Farovon companies, their activities, and the different industries they are engaged in. Deputy Director Yufeng Zou shared his ideas and vision on how they can partner with LLC Farovon and IET TSUC to converge academia and its international partnership with local businesses. In this case, the partnership between NWAFU and IET TSUC would bring benefits to LLC Farovon. The joint intentions of NWAFU and IET TSUC are to build innovative research centers and demonstration parks where scholars from NWAFU, IET TSUC, and practitioners from local partners, including LLC Farovon staff, can improve their qualifications and jointly engage in practical research. Associate Professor Fengxin Yan emphasized the importance of cooperation with enterprises and invited the Head of HR of LLC Farovon Ilhomjon Sattorov to participate in the International Conference to be held in September this year in Yangling, Shanxi Province, P.R. China. As well as invited a group of companies Farovon to be a member of the Innovation Alliance of AGREENTAJ project.
At the end of the day, the working group and the NWAFU delegation went for field research. To examine and test soil, crop, irrigation systems, and techniques. The experts Yufeng Zou, Qingfang Han, Junhu Ruan, Tibin Zhang, Shaohui Ouyang, and Fengxin Yan had a direct dialogue and interview with local farmers and local agricultural experts, which helped to evaluate the efficient use of land and productivity of crops. This field research helped to understand how NWAFU could further contribute to and support the development of agriculture and introduce new innovative approaches, techniques, technologies, and best practices for growing healthy, nutritious, and ecological products.
Saidqosim Mukhtorov,
Head of the International Center & Global Engagement