In 2024, Tajikistan produced 4,800 tonnes of honey - just 0.47 kg per capita, far from meeting the growing domestic demand. President Emomali Rahmon has called for urgent measures to increase the number of bee colonies and expand honey exports.
In support of this initiative, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) held a roundtable in Dushanbe focused on pollinator protection and sustainable agriculture development, Asiaplus.tj reports.
“Pollinators are not only essential for our diets and ecosystems - they are the key to the future of sustainable agriculture,” said Agasi Arutyunyan, FAO’s Acting Representative in Tajikistan, speaking at the roundtable themed “Learning from Bees, Learning from Nature to Nourish Everyone”, held in honor of World Bee Day.
Arutyunyan emphasized that “In Tajikistan, where beekeeping is both a traditional livelihood and an emerging economic sector, the need to protect bees has never been more critical.”
“This is about safeguarding our food supply, our environment, and the livelihoods of our farmers,” he added.
The event brought together key stakeholders who called for joint action to protect pollinators - bees and other insects that play a crucial role in food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Committee on Food Security under the Government of Tajikistan, Asali Tochik State Enterprise, Intermed Beekeepers’ Association, and the National Association of Beekeepers and Honey Processors of Russia.
Discussions highlighted the need to strengthen policy frameworks supporting local beekeepers, implement science-based approaches to pollinator protection, and develop marketing strategies for honey products. The participants stressed the urgency of preserving bee populations and improving honey quality amid climate change, land degradation, and habitat loss.
World Bee Day, observed annually on May 20, aims to raise global awareness about the importance of pollinators in maintaining food security and healthy ecosystems. The date commemorates the birth of Anton Janša, a Slovenian pioneer of modern beekeeping, and was established through an initiative by Slovenia with the support of Apimondia and the United Nations.
During a national seminar-meeting with regional and local leaders in the Danghara district, President Emomali Rahmon also addressed the challenges and prospects of beekeeping in Tajikistan.
“Despite the favorable conditions for beekeeping in the country, honey production and exports still fall short of our potential. In 2024, Tajikistan produced 4,800 tonnes of honey - only a 4% increase compared to the previous year, while exports amounted to just 2.3 tonnes,” Rahmon noted.
Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan increased its honey exports by 47% in 2024, reaching 174 tonnes.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 28, 2025