PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURE PROJECT
Second ISSUE April-May 2010
The USAID Productive Agriculture Project launches Grants Program
Framework objectives: 1. Grants Program launched; 2. Beef Demonstration Farms; 3. Profitable Meat Production in Tajikistan – From One Farmer to Another; 4. Invitation to Participate in Grant Proposal Training; 5. Training Schedule; 6. Publications.
Dear Colleagues, Partners! The USAID Productive Agriculture Project has new telephone numbers. Please update our contact information: № Tel number
Position
Staff Name
№ Tel number
Position
Staff Name Rano Rustamova rano@proapt.tj
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934483333 Chief of Party
Will Bullock wbullock@proapt.tj
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935601401 Input Supply Advisor
Ylli Bicoku ybicoku@proapt.tj
10 935601411
Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
Davlatmo Yusufbekova davlatmo@proapt.tj
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935601402 Deputy Chief of Party
Brad Beeler bbeeler@proapt.tj
11 935601409
Finance Agriculture Specialist
Parviz Gafurov parviz@proapt.tj
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935601405
Senior Agriculture Development Specialist
Rahmon Shukurov r.shukurov@proapt.tj
12 935601404
Finance & Administration Manager
Sabohat Dustova sabohat@proapt.tj
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935601406
Agronomist & Training Program Specialist
Khusnidin Kuziboev khusnidin@proapt.tj
13 935685353
Office & Financial Manager and Procurement Specialist
Lola Ukumatshoeva lola@proapt.tj
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935601408
Market Development Specialist
Bakhtiyor Abduvokhidov Bakhtiyor@proapt.tj
14 935601407
Finance & Administration Assistant
Tazarf Zarifbekova tazarf@proapt.tj
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935601410 Ag SME Specialist
Jumaboy Shomurodov jshomurodov@proapt.tj
15 935601403 Mass Media Specialist
Oymahmad Kholov umedjamol@mail.ru
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935559696 Grants Manager
Khurshed Oymatov khurshed@proapt.tj
16 927790197 Administrator/Bookkeeper
Nargisa Kholiqova nargisa@proapt.tj
935559691 Communication Specialist
PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURE PROJECT The USAID Productive Agriculture Project launches Grants Program The USAID Productive Agriculture Project started its Grants Program. The main goal of the Grants Program is to provide funding for activities that directly contribute to the objectives of the Project and to directly engage the stakeholder community. Examples of potential projects the grants program could fund include the following; a variety of consulting services, agriculture fairs, surveys, market research, training, attending international trade fairs, in-kind equipment, funding international shipment of product to investigate markets, construction of buildings (e.g. commodity storage facilities), and engaging local service providers. Project grants may be awarded to local not-for-profit, for-profit, and non-governmental organizations (NGO), providing they are legally registered and recognized under the laws of Tajikistan. Project grants will only be made to businesses that serve a critical role in the value-chains of the target commodities: lemon, tomato, apricot, onion, melon and beef. Eligible businesses include transportation, processing, packaging, storage or other qualifying service providers to the targeted industries. Producers are also eligible for project grants. To facilitate access to Grants, the Project will provide training to interested parties on Grants Management, Business Plan development and Proposal Development. The first training on “Grants Management” and “Proposal Development” was conducted in Khujand, Sugd Oblast for organizations interested in developing
Beef Demonstration Farms
Grants Training
proposals for the AGRO EXPO 2010 to be held in Khujand this summer. Project grants will be limited to businesses residing in, or benefiting, the three project provinces (Sughd, western Khatlon and Districts Surrounding Dushanbe) and announced through mass media, internal publication, such as Project Newsletter, and communicated directly to groups that submit concept papers. Award is on a competitive basis and applicants must leverage project grants to the maximum extent possible. Leveraging represents the non-project resources that are expected to be contributed to the grant by the grantee. Preference will be given to applicants with greater matching contribution.
various types of low quality hay as well as wheat straw and wheat bran with small quantities of cereals (barley, wheat bran). A secondary diet consists of corn stalks and wheat or barley straw which are harvested in the autumn and stored for winter. The project established two beef demonstration farms, in Bobojon Gafurov (Sughd Oblast), and Gisar (district surround Dushanbe). In B. Gafurov the demonstration is established in collaboration with ZooVet Consulting, a private veterinary Consulting Service. The aim of the demonstrations is to show farmers how they can improve livestock management, feeding and improve feed ration using more alfalfa hay, barley, corn and minerals as well as to increase the area under alfalfa and preparation of high quality alfalfa hay. The initial results in B. Gafurov are very promising. The bulls under demonstration gained 37% more body weight compare with the control group.
Quality feed is critical for Beef Production
Based on for visual appraisal and discussion with farmers, the diet for fattening bulls/calves is inadequate. The feed is based on a dry ration of 2
In collaboration with CNFA-FtF program, the Gisar beef farm, during the second half of May, hosted an American volunteer, Dr. Roy Chapin, to improve the feed management and prepare new recipes of premixes (minerals and vitamins).
PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURE PROJECT Profitable Meat Production in Tajikistan – From One Farmer to Another Bradley J. Beeler Deputy Chief of Party USAID Productive Agriculture Project Beef production in Tajikistan is both significant and important to the economy. There are nearly 1.8 million cattle in Tajikistan, a number that rose nearly 50% between 2003 and 2008. Most beef are raised on small household plots (90%) with only 10% raised on commercial farms. To be profitable, beef production requires a daily rate of gain of between 500 and 700 grams which is only obtainable with proper nutrition, disease control and management. A beef animal can only be productive if it is healthy. Major cattle diseases are common in Tajikistan, brucellosis, a disease that is passed on to humans as Undulant Fever from consuming raw milk from infected animals is found throughout the country. This disease can be eradicated through a vigorous vaccination program conducted using quality vaccines. Tuberculosis, leptospirosis and foot and mouth disease are also found causing poor weight gains, abortions and death. To be profitable, beef producers must follow a herd health program that provides timely vaccinations and treatment of infected animals. Proper feeding of beef animals is another area of management requiring attention to detail. A beef animal requires adequate water, nutrients, vitamins and minerals obtained from feed stuffs which are harvested and stored properly. In Tajikistan, with its extremely hot summers, water is a critical element in raising healthy, productive beef. Beef cattle need free access to clean water throughout the day. Animals tied out in the sun with no shade or water will dehydrate quickly. Lack of water makes proper digestion impossible so that feed consumed is not properly utilized by the animal. Nutrient requirements for raising beef are well established, daily intake of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals must be met to ensure proper growth. Common feedstuffs used in Tajikistan have little or no value. Dried straw provides little other than fiber. Dried corn stalks left to weather outside loose most of their nutrients. Hay harvested late in the season has little or no nutritional value. To raise profitable beef feeds must be harvested properly. Alfalfa hay and corn silage make excellent feeds, supplying adequate amounts of protein and energy when harvested early. Alfalfa should be harvested when 1/10 of the plants are in bloom providing nearly 20% protein. Most grasses (Timothy, Brome, etc.) can be made into hay following the same guidelines-harvest early, dry properly, store under cover. The hay should be sun cured and then stored out of the weather to maintain nutrient levels. Corn, harvested as the whole plant ground to ¼ to ½ 0.6 to 1.3 cm. when the plant reaches 30% moisture (silage) and stored in a well compacted silo provides adequate energy. Hay crops can also be stored as silage when harvested with higher moisture content (3040% dry matter). By-products from the cotton industry, cotton seed meal, provide an excellent protein source while by-products from the production of beer (brewer’s
grains) can also be used as a feed supplement. Minerals can be provided through salt blocks and vitamins from feed premixes. A key to successful feed production is storage. Hays must be stored undercover, either in a rain proof barn or tightly covered with plastic or other materials.
Trench Silo Figure 1 Small Farm Feed Storage Systems
Housing is another critical area needing attention in profitable beef production. Beef cattle need well ventilated, dry, shaded stall space to thrive. Barns which are closed tight confine the ammonia produced from animal wastes making the environment unhealthy leading to respitory problems. Barns must be kept clean
with manure removed daily and dry bedding provided. Cattle should have access to water at all times and adequate feed space provided. Beef cattle should be removed from the barn on a daily basis to ensure adequate exercise. Letting cattle outside also helps in heat detection facilitating a breeding program. Proper breeding is critical to a successful long term cattle enterprise. Artificial insemination is spreading throughout Tajikistan giving farmers access to improved genetics. The days of using the neighbor’s bull are declining and along with the decline of natural breeding farmers will be able to increase the health of their herds. Genetics from cattle which have higher rates of gain, are better adapted to the Tajik environment, are healthier with better mothering ability are available to every breeder who uses artificial insemination. As the number of beef cattle in Tajikistan grows and the level of management increases beef cattle production will offer the rural farmer a greater opportunity for profitability! 3
PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURE PROJECT Invitation to Participate in Grant Proposal Training The USAID Productive Agriculture Project is a five-year effort operating in western Khatlon, Sughd oblasts and the Districts Surrounding Dushanbe (DSD), designed to increase the productivity of traditional agricultural commodities (watermelons, melons, apricots, lemons, tomatoes, onions, and beef) and strengthen the capacity and profitability of private sector agribusinesses in Tajikistan. If your business has ideas that will improve agriculture both in the geographic areas and involving the commodities listed above and you are interested in learning how you can receive grants from this program to support your idea, please submit a two page concept paper including the information listed below. Service Providers and NGOs interested in participating in the grant program should send a two page capacity statement instead of the two page concept paper. For Capacity Statements provide an executive summary describing the mission/vision and goals of the organization.
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Political parties, groupings, or institutions or their subsidiaries and affiliates.
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Organizations that advocate, promote, or espouse anti-democratic policies or illegal activities.
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Faith-based organizations whose objectives are for discriminatory and religious purposes, and whose main objectives of the deliverables are of a religious nature.
The two page concept paper (or Capacity Statement for Service Providers and NGOs) must include: Name of the organization and the first and last name of a contact person, contact telephone, email (if you have one). Full address (Region, District, Jamuat) and type of business. For concept papers provide one paragraph executive summary including a short description of the idea, the amount of funds requested, the amount of funds the organization will provide, the commodity/commodities involved, followed by a more detailed concept description. Papers should be submitted to either of the following address; 66, L.Tolstoy Street, Dushanbe; 33 Qori Niyozi Street, Khujand or via e-mail addresses; khurshed@ proapt.tj
Eligible Tajikistan organizations and businesses include but are not limited to the following: farmers, farmer associations, processors, transportation firms, service providers, NGOs, agriculture input stores, warehousing firms, agriculture equipment providers, and financial institutions.
Organizations including all information requested in the two page concept paper will be invited to participate in training on how to apply for grants from the Project.
The following organizations are not eligible to receive assistance:
The deadline for submission of proposals is July 15th and proposals are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
For the additional information please call tel: (992 93) 555 96 96.
Publications The USAID Productive Agriculture Project uses various communications approaches and vehicles to share project information with agriculture stakeholders. Specific Publications published by the USAID Productive Agriculture Project such as: Leaflets
Posters
Booklets
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Project Summary Leaflet.
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Effective Use of Fertilizer
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Citrus Pest Management
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Soil Testing
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Crop Calendars for Apricot, Citrus
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Vegetable Pest Management
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Pest Management Citrus
To receive brochures, posters, calendars, booklets you can contact to the USAID Productive Agriculture Project at the following addresses: 66, L.Tolstoy Street, Dushanbe, 734003 Tajikistan or via E-mail:rano@proapt.tj 33, Qori Niyozi Street, Khujand, Tel.: +(992 3422) 57-374 E-mail: bbeeler@proapt.ti Training Schedule The USAID Productive Agriculture Project for the period May-June months will conduct the following trainings and open filed days: •
Training -“Effective use of Fertilizers” with Agro input dealers Tursunzade;
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Training “Fertilizer use in orchards” with WUAs in Zafarobod and Kanibadam districts of Sugd Oblast;
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Open Field day for Beef Production in Bobogon Gafurov district;
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Open Field day for pest management and Fetilizer use for apricots in Asht district;
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Open Field day on watermelon production in Shahritus district.
66, Lev Tolstoy Street, Dushanbe, Tel.: (992 37) 224-66-32 E-mail: rano@proapt.tj 33, Qori Niyozi Street, Khujand, Tel.: (992 3422) 57-374 E-mail: bbeeler@proapt.tj This Newsletter is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of the Productive Agriculture Project and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
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