Restored pastures in GBAO see productivity gains of up to 30%

Restoration measures have significantly boosted pasture productivity in several districts of Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), with gains ranging from 20% to 30%. These findings come from monitoring results published by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) on August 13, conducted under the RESILAND Tajikistan project.

In Vanj district, where six pasture user associations manage 368 hectares, improvements through rotational grazing and temporary fencing have yielded impressive results. A demonstration site managed by the Rovand association saw grass grow to 55-65 centimeters and vegetation cover reach 70-80%, with productivity at 16.7-17 tons of green mass per hectare. Overall, Vanj's pasture productivity increased by an average of 20-30%.

Rushan district saw similar success, with four associations managing 2,344 hectares, 1,895 of which were improved. Protected plots showed significantly higher productivity than open pastures, yielding 2-2.6 tons of green mass per hectare. The project also supported horticulture, with 500 fruit trees planted at a demonstration site, most of which remain in good condition, alongside a new water tank and drip-irrigation system.

Shugnan district has restored 638 hectares out of 793 managed by four associations, leading to a 20-25% productivity increase. Fruit orchards and drip-irrigation systems are also being established here, with bulbous barley grown between trees to support livestock feed and pasture restoration. The project's broader scope includes establishing 10 hectares of apple and cherry orchards across the three districts, with a 95-97% seedling survival rate, and plans for vegetable and forage crops to generate additional income.