DUSHANBE, August 17, 2010, Asia-Plus – Today, with the presence of Mr. Urfat Abdulbekov, representative of Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) under the Government of Tajikistan, Mr. Yoshihiro Nakayama, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe, and Mr. Mairambek Toychiyev, Chairman of Murghab district are signing a grant contract for “The Project for Improvement of Livestock Production Facilities in Alichur Jamoat, Murghab District” at the GBAO representative office in Dushanbe, press release issued by the Japanese Embassy said.

The Government of Japan will provide US$96,319 to develop local yak production in Alichur Jamoat, located in the south of Murghab district.  The project consists of two programs; 100h.a pasture land will be irrigated to increase the production of grass to feed livestock, as well as three cowsheds for yaks will be constructed to keep yak during the severe winter weather.

The pasture land and cowsheds will be used by local farmers. As a main economic activity in the community, 14,000 yaks and more than 32,000 other livestock are in Alichur jamoat.  The project will sustain and improve the local livestock production in one of the most isolated mountainous area in Tajikistan.  600 farmers working in Alichur jamoat will directly benefit from the project. Furthermore, strengthened local livestock production of Alichur jamoat is expected to improve the living standards of 14,000 residents in Murghab district.

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) is provided to educational and medical institutions, NGOs, and local governments in developing countries.  GGP supports projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level.  GGP has extended more than US$ 17.78 million for 252 projects in Tajikistan since 1996.