DUSHANBE, July 24, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Women’s Producer Groups, supported by Oxfam, have presented their agricultural products at a two-day Regional Trade Fair that kicked off in Khujand, the capital of Sughd province today.

According to Oxfam Tajikistan, the Regional Trade Fair has brought producers, processors, users and traders of agricultural products to cultivate relations, exchange information, as well as identify new business opportunities.  Trade visitors reportedly came for the products and services from EU countries, Russian Federation, Iran, Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.

“The Trade Fair is a good opportunity to reach new markets, acquire potential buyers and processors for our Women’s Farmer Producer Groups. These are smallholder farmers, who grow the produce that we all depend on, and who work together to improve their lives and communities” - said Bojan Kolundzija, Country Director with Oxfam in Tajikistan.

Farming is the main source of employment in rural areas of Tajikistan, with many people earning a living through the production of cotton, cereals, fruit, vegetables and livestock. Many smallholder farmers are women, who play a major part in fruit and vegetable production.

Oxfam is helping smallholder farmers, especially women farmers, to secure a better income.  It has supported the formation of Producer Groups and helped them in establishing market linkages with various value chain actors.

“We found that working collectively can result in multiple benefits to communities and individuals: improved product quality, yield, prices, and income, social status and leadership skills”, - said Sojidamoh Asoyeva, an active member of “Ruyo” Women’s Producer Groups.