Tajikistan, UN Launch Major Initiative to Transform National Food System

The Tajik government, in partnership with UN agencies, officially launched the program “Transforming Food System for Improved Nutrition” in Dushanbe on July 15.

This $2 million initiative aims to introduce sustainable nutrition solutions that will benefit over 2.8 million people across the country, The Caspian Post reports, citing Tajik media.

Implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Food Programme (WFP), the program targets Dushanbe, several pilot districts, and other regions. It focuses heavily on fostering a culture of healthy eating.

UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan, Kavilmadam Ramaswami Parvathy, emphasized the program’s role as a crucial coordination mechanism among various institutions. She noted that reforming the food system is a key government priority aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiative is executed in close collaboration with relevant ministries, international donors, and Tajikistan’s Food Security Committee.

“By transforming food systems with innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, we can nurture a healthy generation,” said Mahmudi Shirinzhonzoda, First Deputy Head of the Food Security Committee.

The program includes four main components:

National Nutrition Standards Implementation

$650,000 will support seminars, updates to nutrition standards at schools and hospitals, and new dietary guidelines.

Nutrition Awareness and Education

$300,000 will fund awareness campaigns, educational module development, and community events in Dushanbe, Bokhtar, Baljuvon, and other regions.

Sustainable Agriculture and Green Product Certification

$850,000 will be invested in training, school gardens, support for women and youth in agribusiness, and establishing a green certification system.

Monitoring and Strategic Planning

$200,000 will finance a nutrition monitoring and evaluation system, evidence-based policy development, and data-driven decision-making tools.

Beyond system strengthening, the program aims to modernize school meal programs, reduce unhealthy food consumption, and promote locally produced foods as sustainable alternatives to imports.