The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in partnership with the Centre for Sociological Research “Zerkalo,” conducted a large-scale assessment across rural Tajikistan from September to December 2024. The study aimed to explore smallholder farmers' interactions with information and communication technologies (ICT), focusing on their awareness, usage in farming, attitudes, access barriers, and perceptions of technological benefits.
The first results of the study were unveiled on December 17, 2024 at a joint FAO–Zerkalo workshop in Dushanbe, titled Digital Agriculture in Tajikistan: Results of a Large-Scale Study with Smallholder Farmers. This workshop also served as a platform for developing recommendations aimed at improving ICT access and utilization in the country’s agriculture sector. A full report summarizing the study’s findings will be published in 2025.
The survey is part of the broader FAO project, Support to the Implementation of the National Digital Agriculture Strategy of Tajikistan: Empowering Farmers through Data and AI Solutions, launched in 2024. The project aligns with Tajikistan’s national roadmap for digital agriculture and aims to empower farmers through data-driven solutions.
“FAO recognizes the transformative potential of ICTs in agriculture, particularly in increasing productivity, promoting sustainable practices, and improving food security. Through this workshop, FAO aims to support the Government of Tajikistan and other stakeholders in advancing a digital agenda that empowers farmers and creates a more resilient agricultural sector,” Aghasi Harutyunyan, FAO Representative ad interim in Tajikistan stated.
The assessment covered 1,400 small and medium dehkan farms across the country. The workshop focused on addressing key findings from the survey, such as barriers to ICT adoption among farmers and identifying enabling factors like mobile service accessibility, affordable devices, and the availability of training and support. Participants, including farmers, policymakers, technology providers, and experts, collaborated on creating practical recommendations to enhance ICT adoption, particularly in rural areas.
Veronika Sherova FAO Digital Development Specialist, emphasized the need to bridge knowledge and technology gaps for smallholder farmers. She noted that by using survey data, especially on barriers to technology use, targeted interventions can be designed to improve digital tool access and enhance agricultural practices.
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