MANILA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday announced that it has approved 17 million U.S. dollars in grant financing to help Tajikistan digitalize and modernize its livestock industry, aiming to increase farmers' incomes and improve people's access to nutritious food.
According to the ADB, agriculture remains a key pillar of Tajikistan's economy, employing more than 40 percent of the workforce and accounting for over 20 percent of national output. Livestock plays a central role, with most animals raised by small-scale households.
However, the bank said the sector faces mounting challenges, from climate impacts and outdated veterinary systems to limited access to digital tools, hindering productivity and disproportionately affecting women, who are often primary animal caretakers.
The project will establish a national digital livestock system to track animal health, manage livestock movement, and certify animals for domestic and export markets. It will also modernize public breeding and veterinary services in pilot districts to meet commercial standards and draw private-sector participation.
Improvements will include upgrading a national artificial insemination center and building a dedicated facility for safe storage of genetic material.
To enhance veterinary capacity, the bank said mobile clinics and regional centers will be equipped with diagnostic tools and that vaccine cold chains will be strengthened.
The initiative will also upgrade veterinary training schools, provide scholarships for women veterinarians, and develop a national network to support women's leadership in the field.
Pasture management will be enhanced to improve climate resilience. Measures include creating a national digital pasture health map, improving a pilot animal migration point with shelters and washing stations, and providing mobile veterinary care facilities. Local communities will be trained in pasture planning and sustainable grazing practices. ■
