DUSHANBE, July 1, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon yesterday held a meeting to review the results of the past six months'' work.

Minister of Agriculture Qosim Qosimov reported on the process of implementation of the yak breeding program designed for 2008-2015.  The minister noted that as a result of implementation of the program the yak population in the country has increased from 18,300 to 21,500 to date.

The head of state ordered to take adequate measure to ensure further increase in the yak population, provide consumer markets of the country with yak meat and set up workshops for processing of yak products.

Minister of Culture Mirzoshorukh Asrori reported on the process of implementation of the 2006-2015 library science development program and the Firdawsi National Library development program designed for 2006-2015.

In this connection, President Rahmon ordered to take measures to implement the programs and collect books for the National Library that will be put in commission by the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence, the source noted.

The meeting also endorsed the procedures of protection of precious metals and precious stones at mining enterprises of the country.

According to the preliminary findings of the 2010 census of population and housing, Tajikistan’s total population stood at 7.565 million as of September 21, 2010, which is 1.438 million people, or 23 percent, more as compared with the findings of the 2000 census of population.

Under this document, the country’s population is expected to stand at 7.92 million in 2012 and gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to rise 7 percent in a year to January 1, 2012, reaching 35.8 billion somoni.

Tajik authorities expect the country’s total population to stand at 8.070 million and 8.230 million in 2013 and 2014 respectively.  GDP is expected to reach 40.7 billion somoni in 2013 (7.2 percent rise) and 46.9 billion somoni in 2014 (7.3 percent rise).