On March 29, 2025, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, respected Emomali Rahmon, reviewed the progress of the construction of an intensive orchard in the Bobojon Ghafurov district.
The President’s working visit began in the village of Ovchiqal’acha in Bobojon Ghafurov district, Sughd region. In Ovchiqal’acha, the Head of State planted fruit tree seedlings in the intensive orchard of the branch of the Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture, and Vegetable Growing of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Tajikistan, located in Sughd region. He urged local residents, scientists, and agricultural workers to intensify efforts in greening and increasing crop yields.
The intensive orchard covers an area of 20 hectares and was established on the site of an old apricot orchard that had not yielded fruit for more than 30 years. Of this area, 10 hectares are planted with apple and cherry orchards, and the remaining 10 hectares with peach orchards. Drip irrigation has been organized to ensure watering of seedlings in the new orchard.
During discussions with scientists, farm managers, and other agricultural specialists, it was emphasized that special attention must be paid to the proper selection of planting sites and the expansion of orchard areas focused on export.
According to the branch, it has 564 hectares of agricultural land, of which about 400 hectares are occupied by orchards and more than 80 hectares by vineyards, which are the result of many years of work by the scientists of this research institution.
In 2014, the branch’s scientists also created an intensive orchard covering 4 hectares. The remaining orchards and vineyards are traditional, but the introduction of scientific achievements and advanced experience has yielded noticeable results.
According to the scientists, intensive orchards are more economically profitable compared to traditional ones and have been successfully applied in the country for many years, yielding harvests within three to four years.
The land between the rows of orchards is used efficiently and rationally: until the trees grow fully, various agricultural crops are grown there.
In the first year, the branch’s scientists planted onions on 6 hectares, carrots on 4 hectares, and watermelons under plastic on 2 hectares. A small experimental plot is also used to grow Anzuri onions. High-yield varieties of carrots and tomatoes are cultivated in separate plots. From planting to harvesting, the specifics of crop cultivation are carefully studied.
The branch’s scientists actively develop research work in priority agricultural areas—horticulture, viticulture, vegetable growing, and potato cultivation.
It is reported that the branch of the Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture, and Vegetable Growing of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Tajikistan in Sughd region has registered 12 patents for varieties: 8 apricot varieties, 1 carrot variety, and 1 grape variety. In addition, trials are underway for 2 apricot varieties, 3 grape varieties, 2 Anzuri onion varieties, and 1 regular onion variety developed by the branch’s scientists.
President Emomali Rahmon, after reviewing the agricultural potential of the region, highly appreciated the initiative of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences leadership to restore old orchards as an important and timely task.
It was noted that every year, new orchards and vineyards are established in Sughd region as part of state programs, and thanks to timely agro-technical measures, the volume of fruit production is increasing. The total area of orchards across all sectors of the region’s economy exceeds 70,000 hectares, of which about 60,000 hectares are productive.
The interest of regional farmers in creating intensive and super-intensive orchards is high: out of the total area of newly established orchards, about 1,000 hectares are intensive and super-intensive orchards.
