Tajikistan: National treasure - 1x14’ - English
November 2002

Tajikistan, the poorest country in central Asia, was with neighbouring Uzbekistan the cotton producer of the Soviet Union. In a mountainous country with only 6% of arable land, 80% of all agriculture has been exclusively devoted to cotton. Today, the government pursues the same agricultural policy while the country tries to recover from a five-year civil war and a series of droughts. The land reform is not yet complete and farmers must follow cotton production plans on credit. Poverty has increased and food supply is insufficient. The international community helps with funds which are
managed by the villagers to introduce alternative crops and livelihoods.