Development of fish farms in Tajikistan

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DUSHANBE – The government of Tajikistan has adopted a programme to develop fish farming through 2015 to meet domestic demand for fish. Production will be increased by 2,500 tonnes a year and the area devoted to fish farms will be expanded to 15,000 hectares under the programme, General Director of Tajik Fish Akhmadzhon Gafurov said.

The annual consumption of fresh water fish and seafood in Tajikistan totals an estimated 14,000 tonnes. Last year, however, just 225 tonnes were produced. In the late 1980s, when the fishing industry in Tajikistan was booming, production reached 3,500 tonnes a year.

While economists believe that conditions must be created to attract investment, train workers and increase government financing for fresh water fish farming, the state budget now provides only $100,000 [USD] a year for the industry, which hardly covers the cost of fish feed.

The UN Agricultural Organisation has provided technical aid totalling $27,000 to Tajik Fish to equip a water analysis laboratory. It also plans to provide assistance for increasing the variety of fish farmed and supplying food for them in order to stimulate the growth of the industry.

While much more is needed, Gafurov said the republic now has vast opportunities to expand fish farming since the country has many clean lakes and new reservoirs are being built. Eight reservoirs are being built on the River Vakhsh alone and fish farms will be set up in each of them in an effort to advance Tajikistan’s fish farming goals.