KULOB, March 11, 2014, Asia-Plus -- During the celebration of the Navrouz holiday (March 21-26), residents of the Muminobod district in Khatlon province will receive a really big gift from the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Tajikistan – a large vegetable storage facility with capacity to store 1,000 tons vegetables.

“This vegetable storage facility is provided with all necessary refrigerating equipment,” Pirmad Zaripov, the chairperson of the Muminobod district, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

According to him, the vegetable storage facility is one of ten facilities that will be introduced into operation in the district during the celebration of the Navrouz holiday.

“Besides the vegetable storage facility, two aid stations, athletic arena, three shops, gas-filling station, service center will be introduced into operation in Muminobod and the test launch of the small enterprise for manufacturing honeycombs will take place in the district,” Zaripov noted.

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is one of agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).  Established by His Highness the Aga khan in 1967, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-denominational, international development agency.  Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa.  Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 19 countries.

AKDN agencies work in Tajikistan in a range of areas—from economic development to education, rural development to cultural revitalization, health care to financial services.  Operating in the country since 1992, AKDN draws on a strong base of experience in working with mountain societies.  The Network is present in all regions of Tajikistan through its operations and investments. 

The Aga Khan Development Network serves as Tajikistan’s largest private employer, through a committed staff of 3500 in 8 agencies.