A conducive policy environment is essential to promote sustainable agricultural mechanization at the national level. The Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has thus launched an initiative to offer advisory services to member States to strengthen national policies or strategies for sustainable agricultural mechanization. As part of this initiative, CSAM in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan and State Enterprise ‘Tajikagroleasing’ organized a Workshop on “Current Issues and Proposals for Development of Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Tajikistan” on 17 October 2018 in Dushanbe.

The workshop was opened by Mr. Zevarshoev Z., Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan More than 30 participants including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural machinery state enterprises, research centers and institutes, testing center and other agencies as well as international organizations such as FAO and IFAD attended the event.

The workshop highlighted the importance of sustainable agricultural mechanization in promoting agricultural development and the Sustainable Development Goals. It also discussed current needs and proposed recommendations for strengthening national policies and programmes in the area of sustainable agricultural mechanization in Tajikistan. Moreover, the workshop strengthened the engagement of relevant national stakeholders in promoting sustainable agricultural mechanization in Tajikistan.

The findings of a draft advisory report developed by CSAM, aimed at strengthening national policies in the area of sustainable agricultural mechanization in Tajikistan, were presented and reviewed. The feedback received will be used to further enhance the finalize the report.