Tajik Farmers Boost Harvests Despite Smaller Fields

The Tajik Agriculture Ministry has announced that farmers achieved higher crop yields despite the area under cultivation decreased.

As of late August, vegetable crops covered approximately 33,000 hectares, with nearly 26,000 hectares already harvested, The Caspian Post informs via Tajik media.

The total vegetable yield reached around 914,000 tons, with key crops including onions (343,000 tons), tomatoes (166,000 tons), cucumbers (111,000 tons), carrots (121,000 tons), and other vegetables (125,000 tons).

By comparison, in 2024, vegetable cultivation had been more extensive, covering nearly 40,000 hectares with over 34,000 hectares harvested, producing more than 1.1 million tons. This year saw declines in onion and tomato production, while cucumber output showed a modest increase.

Potato production followed a similar trend. In 2025, potatoes were planted on 36,000 hectares, with nearly 14,000 hectares harvested, yielding roughly 252,000 tons, down from 280,000 tons in 2024. However, productivity improved, with farmers harvesting an average of 180 centners per hectare, compared to 169 centners per hectare last year.

Experts attribute the smaller overall harvest to reduced planting areas. At the same time, the rise in yields reflects the benefits of modern agricultural technologies and more efficient land use, allowing farmers to produce more from smaller areas.

The Tajik government forecasts that by the end of 2025, the total potato harvest will reach around 1.16 million tons, while total vegetable production is expected to reach 3.29 million tons, with onions accounting for the largest share at 867,000 tons.

Harvesting is ongoing, and authorities project that overall output by year-end will be 5-10 per cent higher than in 2024.