DUSHANBE, March 2, 2013, Asia-Plus -- U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Susan Elliott, Deputy Prime Minister Murodali Alimardon and Khatlon Province Chairman Ghaibullo Afzal officially opened the U.S. Agency for International Development''s (USAID) second Agricultural Inputs Fair - International Agro-Expo Khatlon-2013 – in Qurghon Teppa, the capital of Khatlon province on March 1.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the fair brings together farmers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and international and domestic input dealers to facilitate business relationships and promote trade.  A wide range of agricultural machinery and products will be displayed during the two day fair, and participants will take part in agribusiness development workshops.

Ambassador Elliott stated, "Today''s fair promotes collaboration between farmers and agribusiness.  It facilitates business ties between local and international input suppliers and will increase agricultural production in Khatlon.  Finally, this expo will increase farmers'' awareness of existing high quality products."

The USAID Productive Agriculture Project is one of the many assistance projects made possible by the American people.  Since 1992, the American people have invested over $1 billion in programs and humanitarian aid to improve the standard of living for the people of Tajikistan through support to Tajikistan''s democratic institutions, health care, education, and economic growth.