Tajikistan is currently engaged in a large-scale regional project that focuses on the first real steps and actions taken by local communities regarding the rational management of water resources. In light of the importance of this problem for all Central Asian countries, the Regional Environmental Center of Central Asia (CAREC) has decided that an initiative in the field of sustainable water use for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan is timely and relevant.
Taking into account the high vulnerability of the region, as well as the magnitude of the climate change problem, the countries of Central Asia have ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change and are making serious efforts to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Since Tajikistan has a climatically arid and continental climate, a valley covering only 7% of its territory, and mountains covering the remaining 93%, water resource management is a critical issue.
Overall objective / Specific objectives:
Through the introduction of new irrigation technologies and methods, the project will contribute to solving the problem of water shortages, without compromising agricultural yields. Furthermore, farms and agricultural enterprises in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan run primarily by women may be able to lessen their dependence on irrigation water shortages, improve productivity, and generally improve the sustainability of agriculture.
To achieve its goals, the project will work with local communities and government agencies in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to identify the areas that require irrigation water and infrastructure.
As far as Tajikistan is concerned, the project will cover the Bokhtar district of the Khatlon region and the Vakhdat district of republican subordination. The project will cover 663 women and 450 young people as direct beneficiaries and 42,611 indirect beneficiaries.
Target groups: Water specialists and ecologists, women farmers, the general public, rural gatherings of citizens (mahallas), and the media.
Component 1. Increased agricultural productivity through piloting new water-saving technologies.
This component focuses on testing and implementing innovative irrigation technologies that conserve irrigation water while improving crop productivity. This outcome aims to address the challenge of water scarcity in each target district by introducing new irrigation techniques and technologies that can reduce water usage without sacrificing crop productivity. By implementing water-saving technologies, women-led farms can reduce their dependence on scarce irrigation water and increase their agricultural productivity, improving food security and contributing to sustainable agriculture. Under the component, the project will select 1 hectare per district in each target country and pilot new water-saving technologies.
Activities:
§ Rehabilitate three water catchments (one per country)
§ Three hectares of land with advanced water-saving technology (1 ha per country).
§ Rehabilitated 9 hectares of abandoned cropping wasteland (3 ha per country).
§ Three hectares to showcase resilient cropping agrotechnologies (one hectare per country).
Milestone indicators:
§ Number of women who gained access to irrigation water and water catchment.
§ Percentage of increase in crop yield per hectare among women-led farms.
§ Number of women who adopted new and improved agricultural practices.
§ Percentage of water saved (water replenishment data TDM upon benchmark with conventional irrigation method).
Component 2. Increased economic opportunities for women through efficient value chain approaches.
This component focuses on improving the efficiency of the agricultural value chain for women-led farms in target districts in each country. This outcome seeks to support women farmers and entrepreneurs in accessing new markets in the region, improving the quality of their products, and adding value to their agricultural products through processing and packaging. Through value chain efficiencies, youth and women can increase their income and economic independence and contribute to the overall economic development of their communities.
Activities:
§ Conduct one business forum and one exhibition to promote partnerships with private companies, microfinance institutions, traders, and 60 women entrepreneurs from each target country with access to inputs, equipment, and markets.
§ Facilitate three national and one regional "Dare to Share Fair" events to connect 45 women entrepreneurs with potential partners.
§ Organize community events, such as field days and farmer fairs, to showcase women's achievements in agriculture.
Milestone indicators:
§ Output 1: Number of women who increased their income from contemporary value chain management processes and events.
§ Output 2: Number of women who started or expanded their businesses.
§ Output 3: The number of women who accessed credit and financial services to extend their value chain management approaches.
Component 3. Strengthen the institutional capacity of agricultural water supply authorities and water user associations.
The third outcome focuses on building the capacity of institutions responsible for managing and distributing irrigation water, such as water supply authorities and water users' associations. By strengthening their institutional capacity, these organizations can improve their ability to manage water resources effectively, ensure equitable access and maintain all rehabilitated water infrastructures within the project.
Activities:
§ Conduct capacity needs assessments of each country's agricultural water supply authorities and water user’s associations.
§ Develop capacity-building strategies specific to the country's agricultural water supply authorities and water user’s associations.
§ Strengthen the organizational structures of women-led water user associations to improve their ability to manage and distribute water resources effectively.
§ Work with media outlets to raise public awareness of gender equality and women's empowerment in the agro-industrial sector.
§ Conduct training on leadership and negotiation skills for women in agricultural management.
§ Offer financial literacy training to improve women's understanding of financial management and credit.
§ Offer training in basic business management skills such as bookkeeping, marketing, and sales.
§ Conduct training on product development, packaging, and branding.
Milestone indicators:
§ Number of capacity-building plans developed for women-led water user associations.
§ Number of training and technical assistance sessions and beneficiaries segregated per gender provided to agricultural water supply authorities and water users associations.
§ Number of monitoring and evaluation activities conducted to assess the effectiveness of capacity-building activities.
§ Percentage of agricultural water supply authorities and water user associations reporting improved capacity to manage and distribute water resources effectively.