FAO has transferred laboratory equipment to Tajikistan to strengthen food security. Once operational, it will help to quickly identify dangerous animal diseases, prevent outbreaks of infections, and better control risks in the food chain. Diagnostics will become more accessible not only in Dushanbe but also in the regions of the country.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has transferred laboratory equipment, materials, and reagents to the National Center for Food Safety Diagnostics under the Committee for Food Security of the Republic of Tajikistan. The ceremony took place at the Rumi Hotel on May 4.
The equipment was purchased as part of the regional project “Pandemic Preparedness and Response in Central Asia” using a One Health approach.
The project helps countries in the region prepare for outbreaks of dangerous diseases and respond to them more swiftly. Its goal is to reduce risks to human health, the economy, and society, as well as to strengthen food security, agriculture, and trade.
In 2025-2026, the project evaluated the work of veterinary services, tested samples for brucellosis in five laboratories, and conducted 30 training sessions on laboratory and epidemiological safety. More than 300 specialists from the Committee for Food Security were trained in biosafety, protection from biological threats, and the diagnosis of avian influenza, brucellosis, foot-and-mouth disease, and plague of small ruminants.
In 2026, the project purchased and transferred equipment and laboratory materials for the central and three regional laboratories of Tajikistan.
The Chairman of the Committee for Food Security, Muhammadsaid Faizullozoda, noted that modern threats require greater attention to the quality of veterinary services and the prevention of infectious animal diseases.
“Modern threats compel us to pay more attention to the quality of veterinary services, as well as the prevention of infectious animal diseases that are of great significance for livestock farming in our republic,” he noted.
According to Faizullozoda, programs to strengthen veterinary services are being implemented with the support of the World Bank, and measures are being developed to encourage farmers to conduct diagnostics and veterinary treatment of animals.
Additionally, the chairman emphasized the modernization of laboratories.
“Modernizing the material and technical support of laboratories is also very important now. Thus, with the support of the project, necessary laboratory equipment for PCR diagnostics has been purchased,” Faizullozoda said.
Among the current issues, Faizullozoda mentioned the seasonal movement of livestock between regions and countries, animal identification, limited infrastructural resources, weak analytical potential in the use of veterinary drugs, and the need to improve antibiotic usage policies.
FAO representative in Tajikistan, Agasi Harutyunyan, noted that food safety is an integral part of sustainable agri-food systems for the organization.
“For us, for FAO, food safety is an integral part of sustainable agri-food systems. It is directly related to the health of the population, ensuring food security, developing trade, and the well-being of rural communities,” Harutyunyan said.
He also emphasized the importance of the One Health approach.
“Modern challenges, whether zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, or risks related to food safety, require comprehensive solutions and close collaboration between various sectors,” he said.
The Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Food Security, Mustafo Muminzoda, noted that the transfer of equipment and reagents has strategic significance for the national laboratory network.
“It will strengthen the capabilities of the national laboratory network, improve the quality of disease diagnostics and monitoring, and contribute to the further development of an early warning and response system for biological threats,” Muminzoda said.
At the same time, he pointed out the issue of a lack of consumables for previously supplied equipment.
“I want to note that under the intergovernmental agreement, modern laboratory equipment was supplied and installed by the Chinese side. However, due to the lack of necessary consumables, the equipment has not yet been fully utilized, which limits its effectiveness,” he said.
Muminzoda also highlighted the need for training specialists in the capital and regions, as the resilience of the laboratory system depends not only on equipment but also on stable reagent supply and regular training of personnel.
After the official part, the participants visited the National Center for Food Safety Diagnostics. They were shown the transferred equipment, reagents, and the work of the virology, bacteriology, food safety, serology, and parasitology laboratories. Participants also familiarized themselves with the construction of new laboratory facilities.
