DUSHANBE, February 10, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- On Monday February 9, Agriculture Minister Qosim Qosimov held meeting with Mr. Axel Schimmelpfennig, head of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) mission to Tajikistan, and Mr. Luc Moers, IMF Resident Representative in Tajikistan, according to press service of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

The sides discussed issues related to enhancement of agrarian sector, implementation of different programs in the sector, new mechanism of financing as well as solution of the cotton debt problems.

During the meeting, the minister, in particular, said that 29,147 family farms, 3,188 cooperative farms and 175 associations of dehqon (peasant) farms currently functioned in Tajikistan.  He also noted that 275 million US dollars had been invested in different agriculture development projects in the country in recent year.

As it had bee reported earlier, Mr. Axel Schimmelpfennig heading IMF’s mission to Tajikistan arrived in Tajikistan on February 5 to assess implementation of the IMF monitoring program that was finished in December 2008.  The mission will is also helping the government and central bank work out an appropriate macroeconomic policy dedicated to respond to effects of the global crisis on Tajikistan and discuss the new IMF program with Tajik officials.