Authorities say recommended planting areas should be determined in advance to prevent irrigation shortages and overproduction of individual crops.

Tajikistan is considering a system under which recommended planting areas for different agricultural crops would be determined in advance, taking into account water availability, crop rotation requirements and market demand.

Orif Khojazoda, chairman of the State Committee for Land Management and Geodesy, said at a news conference in Dushanbe that farmers currently decide for themselves what to grow. However, he warned that a mass shift towards a single profitable crop could create irrigation shortages and difficulties in selling the harvest.

“A farmer is free to choose what to grow, but freedom does not mean that all land should be planted with alfalfa or any other single crop. Water availability, crop rotation and market demand must all be taken into account,” Khojazoda said.

According to the authorities, advance planning could help distribute water more efficiently, preserve soil fertility and reduce the risk of excessive production of crops for which there may be insufficient demand.

Nearly 20,000 hectares remain fallow

The committee reported that 19,545 hectares of fallow land remain unused across Tajikistan.

A further 5,750 hectares have been taken out of agricultural use.

Khojazoda said the committee was working with other ministries and government agencies to gradually return these areas to agricultural production.

More than 560 hectares returned to use

A total of 567 hectares of land were brought back into agricultural use in the first half of 2026.

The area of irrigated land increased by 819 hectares, while perennial plantations expanded by 146 hectares, including 122 hectares of irrigated land.

In addition, 173 hectares of fallow land, including 169 hectares of irrigated land, were converted into arable land.

Another 128 hectares of pasture were converted into cropland, while 23 hectares were allocated for perennial plantations.

From land classified in other categories, 186 hectares were transferred for arable farming and 57 hectares for orchards.

Where new irrigated land was developed

Khojazoda named several districts where new agricultural land was developed during the first half of the year.

In Shahritous district, 120 hectares of fallow land were converted into irrigated cropland.

In Asht district, 66 hectares of pasture became irrigated arable land after water supplies were extended to the area.

The largest increase was recorded in Devashtich district, where the area of irrigated land grew by 286 hectares. Water pipelines are being installed and the new plots are being prepared for potatoes and other crops.

A further 49 hectares were developed in Panjakent, around 38 hectares in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region and 15 hectares in Lakhsh district.

Unused land identified near the Afghan border

During work to demarcate and fence the Tajik-Afghan border in Farkhor district, authorities identified unused land along the river.

Khojazoda said the total area could reach around 1,000 hectares.

The committee is studying how the land could be used. It may eventually be allocated to farms or entrepreneurs willing to develop it for agricultural production.

Pump installed to irrigate land in Esanboi

The news conference also addressed the use of agricultural land in the Esanboi area of Roudaki district.

Khojazoda said a pump worth around 650,000 somoni had been purchased using compensation payments for losses of agricultural land.

The equipment is intended to supply water to approximately 800 hectares.

After irrigation was restored, farmers began growing grain, maize and other crops on the land. However, Khojazoda said the area’s full agricultural potential had yet to be realized.