Tajikistan will receive more than $40 million in additional World Bank financing to develop agricultural logistics infrastructure and expand an early childhood development program, according to agreements signed in Dushanbe on October 11.
The agreements were signed by Tajikistan’s Finance Minister Fauziddin Qahhorzoda and Gael Raballand, the World Bank Group’s Country Manager for Tajikistan.
$7.5 million for agricultural logistics
The World Bank will allocate $7.5 million to develop agro-logistics infrastructure, including completing construction of a center in Danghara district, Khatlon region, and equipping a facility in Dushanbe.
The project aims to improve storage and marketing conditions for agricultural producers, increase farmers’ incomes, create jobs and expand export opportunities.
As Asia-Plus previously reported, Tajikistan is developing a network of large agro-logistics centers. In July, the Ministry of Agriculture said the facilities in Sughd and Khatlon provinces were expected to be commissioned by the end of 2027.
At that time, construction of the center in Sughd was approximately 70% complete, while the facility in Jaloliddin-Balkhi district of Khatlon province was more than 60% complete.
The centers are intended to address shortages of modern warehouses, cold-storage facilities and infrastructure for storing, packaging and transporting agricultural products. Without adequate storage, farmers are often forced to sell their harvest immediately after picking, when seasonal oversupply can push prices down.
€30 million for early childhood development
A further €30 million ($33.6 million) will support the expansion of Tajikistan’s early childhood development program.
The additional financing will extend the project to four more districts and fund the establishment of 300 preschool classes. It will also support improvements in pediatric healthcare, specialist training and the introduction of a digital system to monitor child development.
The Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) will provide an additional $4.5 million for activities supporting children’s health and development.
The World Bank-supported program has been implemented in Tajikistan since 2020. Its initial financing totaled $73 million, including $70 million from the International Development Association (IDA) and $3 million from the GFF.
The project focuses on improving nutrition, healthcare and preschool education for children under six, with particular attention to districts where preschool enrollment is low.