IFC Helps Tajik Farmers Use Satellite Technology to Improve Land Measuring Practices
In Dushanbe:
Adkham Ergashev
Phone: (+992 48) 701 14 40
E-mail: AErgashev@ifc.org
In Moscow:
Ilya Sverdlov
Phone: (+7 495) 411 7555
E-mail: isverdlov@ifc.org
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 08, 2008—IFC,
a member of the World Bank Group, has launched a new initiative to help
farmers in Southern Tajikistan improve land measuring practices. By
using a global positioning satellite technology system, farmers will be
able to determine the exact size of their land plots, including length
and width; the latitude, longitude, evenness of field, and precise location
as well as land altitudes and/or elevation.
The agricultural sector, particularly
cotton production, is the largest employer in Southern Tajikistan and critical
to the local economy. Ongoing land reforms aimed at decentralizing agriculture
have helped create some 30,000 privatized farms covering about 75 percent
of arable land. However, limited agricultural knowledge and weak management
skills restrict farmers in making make efficient use of their land. Also,
as there is no system in place for measuring land, and a precise land size
is required by banks in making loans, farmers are limited in obtaining
financing.
The GPS technology is easy to implement.
Farmers will now be able to stake out the corners of a field, transmit
data, and receive the precise size and layout of the field. Armed
with this new tool, they will be able to improve the implementation of
agro techniques. Having the precise size of land in hectares will allow
farmers to use their funds more efficiently to purchase inputs, including
seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The new technology will also help improve
water supply and field irrigation.
This technology was introduced and tested
in May 2008 by the IFC Southern Tajikistan Cotton Lending Project, which
is funded by the Canadian International Agency for Development. The project
works in collaboration with two banks, TojikSoridotBonk and First Microfinance
Bank, to expand access to finance for cotton farmers in Southern Tajikistan.
The results of this technology will be measured after the cotton harvest
in the Fall.
“I am thankful to IFC and to First
Microfinance Bank for helping measure my land more effectively with satellite
equipment. I am now able to calculate the exact agricultural needs of my
farm. This will also help me implement agro technical activities more successfully
and contribute to better yield and more income,” said Ikromjon Nazarov,
Chairman of Dekhan Farm Boboi Muso.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group,
fosters sustainable economic growth in developing countries by financing
private sector investment, mobilizing private capital in local and international
financial markets, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services
to businesses and governments. IFC’s vision is that people should have
the opportunity to escape poverty and improve their lives. In FY07, IFC
committed $8.2 billion and mobilized an additional $3.9 billion through
syndications and structured finance for 299 investments in 69 developing
countries. IFC also provided advisory services in 97 countries. For more
information, visit www.ifc.org.
About CIDA
The Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA) is a Canadian governmental agency whose mandate is to support
sustainable progress in developing countries in order to reduce poverty
and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world. One of
its objectives is to work with countries in transition to stimulate growth
through building self-sustainability among local population and mobilizing
available resources. CIDA supports foreign aid projects in many countries
around the world.
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