In July 2009, Ian led an FAO Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission for Tajikistan, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), following a request from the Government to assess the food situation in the country. The Mission's aim was to estimate the 2009 main season (winter and spring) cereal production and forecast the secondary (summer) season cereal crops; assess the overall food supply situation; and estimate cereal import requirements for the 2009/10 marketing year (July/June).

You can down load a copy of the special report from the FAO GIEWS website here. The mission highlights are summarised below:

The 2009 aggregate (first and second seasons) cereal production is forecast at a high level of over 1 million tonnes. Wheat crop is put at a record high of about 829 000 tonnes, one-quarter above the average crop of last year. About 20 percent is of feed quality.

Well-distributed and timely rainfall throughout the country, the continued use of improved seeds, a complete control of migratory pest threats and increased fertiliser use compared to last year boosted plantings and yields in 2008/09.

Potatoes and other non-cereal food crops have also substantially increased this season. Cotton production is anticipated to be reduced.

Cereal import requirement in marketing year 2009/10 (July/June), mostly wheat, are estimated at 777 000 tonnes, a decline of 24 percent from the previous year’s level. Nearly all this requirement is to be covered on commercial basis.

Prices of wheat have declined from their peaks of a year earlier but remain well above the pre-food price crisis.

The overall food security situation has improved but access to food by vulnerable populations continues to be affected by the high prices and lower incomes as a result of a sharp decline in remittances.