(ADB) has approved a $30 million grant for Tajikistan to modernize the Yovon irrigation and drainage system in the lower Vakhsh river basin, which will help to boost agricultural productivity and increase opportunities for women in land and water management.


“This project will help improve agriculture and water productivity of selected irrigation systems in Tajikistan, rendering them more climate and disaster resilient and promoting food security,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov. “As ADB’s first gender equity-themed irrigation and drainage investment in the country, this will also help empower women to be more involved in land and water management.”


The project will modernize irrigation canals and associated structures, install energy-efficient water pumps, and upgrade drainage structures in the project area.