Abstract
This chapter reports on a PRA survey of 710 people in 10 separate rural villages in five districts of south central Tajikistan. This is a mountainous country in Central Asia, with 93% of its surface area taken up by a complex of east-west and north-south ranges. Almost half of the country is at altitudes of more than 3,000 m. Tajikistan is an agrarian country with a rural population more than 75% of the total and in which the agricultural sector accounts for 65% of employment and around 25% of GDP (averages for 1995–2009). Tajikistan remains the poorest country in Central Asia with a high level of rural poverty. Many rural people live below the poverty line ($2.15 per day).
The results of the PRA have provided a solid understanding of the situation throughout these five districts and of the community perception of the current problematic situation on pasture management and livestock. The main constraint relates to the uncertainties about access to grazing land and to security of land tenure. Legislation relating to issues of land use and tenure is in constant flux, and the measures to implement the existing laws are not consistent or transparent.
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Notes
- 1.
See discussion below on land reform and origin of dehkan farms in Tajikistan.
- 2.
Dehkan (literally peasant) farms were created after the breakup of large state farms and livestock enterprises following the collapse of the Soviet Union. They can be quite large (up to 3,000 ha) or small and may be under the control of individuals, families, cooperatives, or collectives (see Halimova, Chap. 13 for more explanation).
- 3.
Funerary practises are not only a way to pay the last respects to the deceased and to soothe the affliction of the bereaved; they are collective events during which the social identity of the living is affirmed.
- 4.
The most important documents of the Government and International Development Partners, aimed at structural reforms – the Government Investment Program, 2010–2012 Poverty Reduction Strategy
- 5.
Millennium Development Goals, National Development Strategy, the Framework Program UNDP on the provision of development assistance to Tajikistan in 2010–2015 years.
- 6.
http://data.worldbank.org/country/Tajikistan Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line % of population.
- 7.
One of the objectives of the rural development project and the PRAs was to facilitate the creation of pasture user groups within each village as a means of rationalizing pasture use and improve productivity and HH incomes.
References
Halimova N (2012) Land tenure reform in Tajikistan: implications for land stewardship and social sustainability: a case study. In: Squires VR (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 305–332 (Chapter 13, this volume )
Hua L. Zhang, D (2012) Engaging with land users, the first steps on a long road. In: Squires VR (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 333–356 (Chapter 14, this volume)
Lerman Z (2012) Rural livelihoods in Tajikistan: what factors and policies influence the income and well-being of rural families. In: Squires VR (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 165–188 (Chapter 8, this volume)
Robinson S et al (2012) Pastoral tenure in Central Asia: theme and variation in the five former Soviet republics. In: Squires VR (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 239–274 (Chapter 11, this volume)
Acknowledgements
The work reported here was generated during the ADB/GEF Rural Development project, and the author was engaged as a consultant by a consortium of GITEC Consult GMBH/Donaev Management Consulting under the direction and guidance of the PMU in Dushanbe. This chapter is the product of 11 months of intensive research, field work, and travel; thus, we have many individuals and institutions to thank for their advice. Thanks to the local research team, who worked under guidance of Donaev Management Consulting. I am thankful to them for their patience and goodwill during often difficult field trips. I am especially grateful to local officials in districts, Jamoats, and village levels mahalla committee for help and support. I am very grateful to Ms Helen Moriarty – international consultant – for continuous collegial and professional guidance and assistance at all times.
A special note of gratitude is extended to Dr. Victor Squires, Mr. Paul Strong, Mrs. Nargis Halimova, and other colleagues for advice and assistance during the preparation of this chapter.
Finally, our hope is that this work will contribute to the process of improving the system of land stewardship and living conditions, opening up more alternatives and opportunities for rural population of Tajikistan.
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Kurbanova, B. (2012). Constraints and Barriers to Better Land Stewardship: Analysis of PRAs in Tajikistan. In: Squires, V. (eds) Rangeland Stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5367-9_7
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