Value Chains research report Tajikistan final - Microfinance Centre

highly contagious diseases in cattle which cause a public health concern-brucellosis,
tuberculosis, leptospirosis, telerioz, rabies, and foot and mouth disease.
Vaccines for preventable cattle diseases are supplied by both government and private
enterprises. While some vaccines are available legally there is a considerable
contraband market for vaccines coming through Kyrgyzstan. Although contraband
vaccines and medicines are available on the black market for as much as 30% lower in
price there is no quality control and many of the products are substandard and do not
meet their intended purpose. In addition sellers of contraband medicines are not trained
veterinarians and cannot provide accurate information on their use.
In an interview with the entrepreneurs engaged in the sale of medicines and vaccines to
veterinarians, the majority fear government regulation and operate in a shadow
economy. They have a stable set of clients and are not interested in growing their
business or meeting current regulations for the sale of vaccines and medicines. At
present, there is no effort to move businesses out of the shadow economy to one that is
regulated and providing quality vaccines and medicines nor is there any effort to
produce vaccines in Tajikistan under controlled conditions.
There are several reasons for the lack of interest in an improved vaccine and medicine
situation in Tajikistan and lack of supply into Tajik market:
• The high cost of registration,
• Complicated license requirements,
• The need for translation of instructions into local language,
• The narrowness of the Tajik market,
• A price increase by more than 18% due to VAT and customs duties,
• Inspection by the large number of regulatory agencies.
Housing. Cattle housing in Tajikistan commonly consists of a lean-to or rough structure
with poor ventilation and damp conditions. F. Kuzibaev, Director of Zoovetkonsulting,
estimates that over 70% of cattle housing does not meet basic standards of animal
husbandry. Many farmers do not pay attention to housing and do not keep premises
clean leading to disease and parasites. Stalls must be cleaned of manure frequently
and clean bedding provided to provide a dry environment. Buildings must be well
ventilated to remove ammonia build up which can lead to respitory diseases. Also it is
important that the animals have accesses to the outside (sunlight) as cattle convert
sunlight into vitamin D, a much needed vitamin for milk production. Cattle require
additional care during pregnancy and birth requiring a well lit, clean, dry calving area
and proper feeding. Many of these factors are not considered due to lack of knowledge
and/or finances causing low beef production from unhealthy animals. Many farmers do
not follow elementary rules of housing the animal.
Economics of Meat Production. The ratio of return on investment in beef cattle
production ranges from 20 to 40% depending on the labor, skill, care and feed. Most
small farmers who purchase cattle at the market for fattening receive an adequate
income and use cattle as a form of banking, selling animals when funds are needed.
However, it is more attractive to investors to place money in a deposit account in a bank
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