2.2 UNDAF Outcome: National institutions are strengthened for adequate gendersensitive response for food and nutrition security.
Rationale. The country is in the midst of a food crisis caused by rising international food
prices against the background of a low-yield, unresponsive, and cotton-dominated
agricultural sector. Given the impact this will have on health and nutrition status, and given
that 66% of the workforce is employed in agriculture, this UN outcome has been identified
to assist Tajikistan meet its MDGs related to poverty, health, and nutrition. As noted in the
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, development of the agricultural sector will provide a
reliable food supply through increases in agricultural output, higher incomes, and
employment – all directly linked to MDG 1. The UNCT has a comparative advantage in this
area, based on its technical expertise in the areas of food security, agriculture, and nutrition
(for example, the past successes of UNCT in food fortification and its access to food
resources). Other priority areas related to food and nutrition security, such as land use
rights, sustainable irrigation systems, and cotton sector efficiency, will be addressed by
other donors with the relevant expertise.
Results. Achieving this UN outcome will be based on five results: development of effective
food and nutrition policies and strategies; improved farmland productivity through new
technologies; increased food security; consumption of nutritious and safe food;
implementation of national systems to respond to food emergencies.
First, as noted in the PRSP, the development of effective policies and strategies, along with
implementation mechanisms, will play a vital role in achieving the MDGs related to food and
nutrition. The Government recently adopted the Food Security Programme (as developed
by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade for the period 2009-2015). This is a
step forward in recognizing Tajikistan’s food security challenges and the UNCT has been
asked to continue its support of Government’s efforts in pursuit of this new strategy. The
UNCT will assist in incorporating a strong nutrition component in this programme and will
ensure that an agricultural sector strategy is endorsed that incorporates food security issues.
The development (and implementation) of strategy and policy must be based on an
informed analysis of the nutritional, food security and agricultural situation (a current
weakness in the system). Therefore, the UNCT expects that by 2015, a formal food security
and nutrition monitoring system will be in operation, integrating information on climatic
conditions, agriculture, livestock, markets, food consumption, health, and nutrition. To
ensure the information is generated and used, improved methodologies will be distributed to
the relevant government agencies along with capacity development support. The UNCT has
a comparative advantage in designing such a system.
Second, the UNCT expects that by 2015, farmers and especially small farm holders will be
able to use more productive and profitable techniques and technologies, thereby ensuring a
more reliable food supply in local markets. In particular, the UNCT will build national
capacities to ensure that:
- Agricultural small farm-holders and rural households have improved access to quality
agriculture services and inputs (e.g. improved seeds, fertilizers, pesticides,
machinery, extension, etc). This is essential at a time when farmers are being
allowed more flexibility in crop selection. This support will also provide additional
income for the assisted small farm-holders.
- Veterinary services are providing better services to more livestock holders.
Furthermore, livestock holders and local authorities are using more sustainable
methods of pasture management and fodder production.
- Integrated pest management is practiced by national and local authorities.
- Land-users introduce water-saving irrigation technologies
Third, the UNCT anticipates that by 2015, more vulnerable households will have sufficient
financial and physical access to food. This will be achieved through building the knowledge
and skills of vulnerable households to diversify their agricultural production; supporting
these households with efficiency-proven income generation activities; and developing microfinancing schemes at community level for small agricultural businesses. Emphasis will be
placed on improving market access through involving households in fruit and nut sapling,
fodder and other associated products.
Fourth, the UNCT expects that households will consume adequate levels of food that are
safe and nutritious, and display positive dietary behaviours. One expected result is the
universal household-level consumption of adequately iodised salt: the target is to have 40%
of households consuming high- and first-grade flour and cotton oil, fortified with iron and
vitamins. Some of the actions to be supported by UN agencies include: awareness building;
improved legal education related to land reform and farm restructuring processes; provision
of legal support services; and promoting economic rights. To achieve this, the UNCT will
promote the use of fortified foods and other approaches to remedy micronutrient
deficiencies; collaborate with the MoH to ensure that all children receive a regular supply of
vitamin A; and develop capacities in schools, clinics and other public institutions to source
and prepare safe food. The UNCT is also committed to provide the technical assistance,
laboratory resources, and other necessary supplies to ensure that a national food safety
system has been introduced by 2015.
Fifth, the UNCT will support the government and communities establish national systems to
ensure that preparedness measures are in place to respond to food and nutrition security related
aspects of emergencies.
Partners and Coordination. The main partners will be the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA);
Ministry of Finance (MoF); Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT); the
Committee of Environmental Protection (CoEP); the Committee of Emergency Situations
(CoES); agriculture extension agencies; the Ministry of Health (MoH); Primary Health Care
(PHC); large scale salt/flour/oil producers/processors/importers; and local authorities and
Community Based Organisations (CBOs). The Food Security Cluster Group will coordinate
and monitor the activities under this UNDAF outcome, and will liaise closely with the
Governmental Food Security Working Group. With respect to improved seeds in particular,
a Seed Aid Coordination Group will be established under the leadership of the MoA. The
work on seedlings will take place in the context of a joint agency project.
