Ensuring food security and access to healthy nutrition for the population is one of the strategic priorities of the state. Food quality, including wheat flour fortification and salt iodization, is a fundamental basis for protecting public health.
In this regard, on August 18 of this year, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the State Institution “Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development”, held a roundtable entitled “Ensuring the Population’s Access to Fortified Flour and Salt Products” in the hall of the Main Directorate of the Agency for Statistics in Khatlon Region.
The event was attended by Bahodur Hasanzoda, Head of the Main Directorate of Agriculture of Khatlon Region; Boimurod Qurbanzoda, Deputy Director of the State Institution “Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development”; Salohiddin Vatanzoda, Head of the Main Directorate of the Agency for Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan in Khatlon Region; Bobokul Karaev, Director of the Food Safety Diagnostic Center in Khatlon Region; Shohrukh Mirsarvarov, Deputy Head of the Department of the Antimonopoly Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in Khatlon Region; representatives of the Agency “Tajikstandard” under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan; Ilhom Ibodulloev, Director of the NGO “Media Consultation”; Behruz Valiev, Director of the State Unitary Enterprise “Revolving Fund for Food Fortification of the Republic of Tajikistan”; as well as heads of flour and salt production enterprises and other officials.
Opening the event, Bahodur Hasanzoda noted that the health of the nation is an invaluable asset, without which the strength and capacity of the state cannot be imagined. Healthy nutrition is inseparably linked to the health of every individual, and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan takes necessary measures every year to protect and improve public health.
The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has identified ensuring food security, improving food quality, and protecting public health as among the priority areas of state policy.
To prevent and reduce nutrition-related diseases, as well as to implement state policy on food fortification, the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Ensuring the Population with Fortified Food Products” was adopted. The law regulates relations related to the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies through food fortification.
Furthermore, by Resolution No. 415 of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated September 30, 2021, the “Programme for the Prevention of Micronutrient Deficiencies and Related Diseases among the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022–2027” was approved.
As part of these measures, Government Resolution No. 508 dated July 27, 2026, provides that, starting from September 1, 2026, the production and sale of premium-grade and first-grade wheat flour for the domestic market shall be carried out exclusively in fortified form.
Speaking next, Boimurod Qurbanzoda, Deputy Director of the State Institution, emphasized that the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan continuously works to improve and protect the health of the population and pays particular attention to food security and healthy nutrition. The State Institution “Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development”, in order to implement these programmes in practice, has been working effectively with relevant ministries and agencies under Subcomponent 3.4 of the Strengthening Resilience of the Agriculture Sector Project.
The issue discussed at the event—the introduction of a “Mark” for fortified food products—represents an important step toward improving the quality of food products and protecting consumer interests.
The Mark will enable consumers to easily identify fortified products, increase confidence in product quality, and promote a culture of healthy food choices in society.
At the same time, the use of a unified Mark will encourage producers to comply with national standards and contribute to increasing the competitiveness of domestically produced goods.
One of the most effective ways to prevent micronutrient deficiencies is to fortify staple food products. Experience shows that wheat flour and table salt, as widely consumed food products, are effective means of delivering vitamins and minerals to the population.
During the event, presentations were delivered on a number of important sectoral issues, including “Adopted Regulatory and Legal Acts and Regulatory and Technical Documents in the Field of Food Fortification,” the presentation of the draft Unified Mark for Fortified Food Products, international experience in labeling fortified products, and other relevant topics. The presentations were delivered by Ilhom Ibodulloev, Director of the NGO “Media Consultation,” and Behruz Valiev, Director of the State Unitary Enterprise “Revolving Fund for Food Fortification of the Republic of Tajikistan.”
The event aimed to discuss and agree on the concept of the “Mark” for fortified food products, the procedure for its use, and the coordination of activities among government authorities and producers. It also aimed to raise stakeholders’ awareness of the importance of fortified food products and support the implementation of Government Resolution No. 508 of the Republic of Tajikistan.
