DUSHANBE, 30.03.2020. (NIAT Khovar) – During his trip to Sughd Province, the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon had a working meeting with officials of a number of ministries and government agencies, Executive Body of State Authority of the Sughd Province.  The heads of flour and grease companies, suppliers of grain products have also attended.

The discussion dealt with current issues pertaining to the Sughd Province’s socioeconomic development, in particular timely implementation of the Presidential Address to the Supreme Assembly, achieving Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy 2030 as well as ensuring food security.

The Ministers of Industry and Modern Technologies, Agriculture, Sughd Province Governor as well as heads of flour and grease companies, suppliers of grain products briefed the President on essential food products, in particular flour, oil and vegetables.

It was noted that today 44 grain process enterprises operate in Tajikistan; its production capacity equals 2.5 million tons of wheat or 1.8 million tons of flour per year.  Tajikistan’s need for wheat flour in 2019 totaled 800.000 tons. Domestic flour mill in providing the country’s consumer market reached 89% — 11 percent or 91.000 tons of which are imported abroad.

In January-February 2020, while importing 95.000 tons of wheat, the volume of flour production amounted to 100.000 tons i.e. 323 tons more than as compared to a year earlier.  The country’s demand for two months of 2020 amounted to more than 116.000; 86 percent was satisfied with domestic wheat and 14 percent or 16,2 thousand tons with imported wheat flour. Moreover, Tajikistan has exported 3. 200 tons of domestic wheat flour amounting $802.000 US.

While discussing about 52 small and large-scale factories producing cooking oil it was noted that the production capacity of domestic enterprises is 80.000 tons of cooking oil per year, while the annual demand for it reaches 125 thousand tons.

Earlier in the day, the President took part in the inauguration ceremonies of the fruit and vegetable processing enterprise and Treatment and Diagnostic Center. While inaugurating Mavj Service Center in Khujand, the President has presented festive gifts to 100 orphans.

Agro-Khujand fruit and vegetable processing enterprise is capable to process daily 10 to 12 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables. The enterprise is provided with state-of-the-art equipment.

In addition, Emomali Rahmon visited Sughd Free Economic Zone and inspected with activity of the Tajik-Canadian joint enterprise — Hantana Canada Inc. to produce high-quality honey by filtering and processing it via modern technologies.

The production is going to be organized in a modern mini-factory, equipped with advanced equipment and inventory. After the process of purification of honey from impurities, the finished organic product will be packaged in glass jars with volumes from 80 ml to 700 ml and special 7 to 10 gram spoon containers. In order to diversify the range of products, the company plans to produce honey with various spices.

It was informed that the finished products will be exported to the markets of the USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and European Union countries, since these countries are the largest importers of honey. The product will be designed to meet the needs of the population, restaurants, cafes and health organizations.

Raw materials – natural honey, will be purchased from local large suppliers, with which there is already an agreement. Packaging and labels for packaging will be purchased from Chinese and Turkish manufacturers. In case of increase in export volumes, the company intends to produce its own glass packaging.

After that President Emomali Rahmon learned about the production process at the Tajik-Turkish joint venture Afrang Plast, which produces various types of PVC windows and door profiles. The enterprise will be capable to produce 1200 tons of plastic profiles and present them to domestic and foreign markets.

Besides, as part of his visit to Sughd Province, President visited Spitamen district and took part in the opening ceremony of the Secondary educational institution No: 12, which will accommodate 1280 students in two shifts.

While visiting Dustobod — 2 super-intensive apple orchard on an area of ​​5 hectares, President Emomali Rahmon also inspected the Exhibition of Agricultural Products which showcased locally produced goods and the district’s achievements in the agriculture sector.

Next in the schedule was the launching of the start of a cotton-sowing campaign in the Sughdiyona dekhan farm of Spitamen district, which owns 41.56 ha of land and 11 ha of it are arable irrigated land.  Last year, the farmers planted cotton on an area of 7 ha, with an average of 38 centers of yield per hectare.

Upon completing his trip to Spitamen district, President visited Bobojon Ghafurov district, where he gave start to laying out a new intensive garden Samir – Sughd on an area of 1100 ha. The Samir — Sughd farmers intend to plant best varieties of hazel, almond, pomegranate, grape, cherries and briar. The head of state also looked over the information stands of the projects of creating a garden and vineyards, a greenhouse, cattle and poultry farms and fodder plots.