Value Chains research report Tajikistan final - Microfinance Centre

As it shown in table 36, more than 1,5 thousand tonnes of lemons were produced
in Tajikistan in 2009 with lemon production concentrated in Khatlon Region. The
productivity of lemons is different among the regions of Tajikistan and is dependent on
the age of plants, maintenance of trees, pruning and fertilization. Some farmers can
collect 15kg of lemons from one tree on average while others receive approximately
40kg per tree. Mutavali Soliev, Chief Agronomist for the Zonal Experimental Station of
Subtropical Plants, reports that yields could be as high as 1,500 lemons per tree.
The cost of production of lemons is lower in comparison to other crops which are
grown in greenhouses. However, it greatly exceeds the cost of production of fruits
grown in the field. First households must invest in the greenhouse building and then on
planting with three years between planting and economically viable yields. Further, as
the plant bears fruits it starts to cover the expenses for acquisition of polyethylene
cover, fertilizers, means of plant protection and payment for watering. During full
production of lemons, the profit from selling lemons starts to repay the invested capital.
Plant care does not take a significant amount of time.
Plants do not survive through the winter if not properly cared for. Freezing is a
major problem as evidenced in 2008 when 70% of lemon greenhouses of Tajikistan
suffered losses. Most of the plants were cut down and replacements are just now
starting to bear fruit. Other problems exist in lemon growing including:
• High level of underground water,
• Struggle against parasites and diseases, There are no prophylactic treatment
activities. Farmers start taking care of plants only after finding diseases.
• Out-of-date technologies for storing, and
• Poor quality fertilizers and pesticides
In spite of that problem production lemons is very popular and many farmers would like
to establish that greenhouse production. During last 2 year it is became feasible and
many new greenhouse was started.
Lemon pickers can collect up to 30 crates of lemons a day. They are paid on
average 3-4 Somoni per crate. If the fruit are collected for a lengthy storage, they are
cut with scissors, keeping the stalk on the fruit. This extends the lemon’s shelf life.
Commercial sorting and calibration service is not demanded, as lemons are sold
by weight and the price depends on the average size of the fruit. Separating sorting,
calibration and packaging into separate processes is not profitable at this stage of
subsector development – as the markets ready to pay extra for this activity are not
present yet. Before, this activity was performed by collection points, which delivered the
lemons to the Republic of Tajikistan. Currently lemons are mostly produced for the
domestic market, which is not ready to pay extra value for packaging. Calibration and
sorting are performed by retailers as part of the pre-sale preparation. These processes
are necessary if the channel for exporting lemons from the country is established.
However, considering current production volumes, prices at farm level and the
separation and independence of producers, this requires a lot of work. Prospective
sales markets are Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
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