Qurghonteppa, Tajikistan, August 21, 2014 – U.S. Ambassador Susan M. Elliott and Khatlon Province Chair Davlatsho Gulmahmadzoda officially opened the International Agro-Fair Khatlon-2014.

Over 100 agricultural entrepreneurs from Tajikistan, including agriculture input dealers, farmers, buyers, cold storage owners, processors, and retailers joined USAID and the Agribusiness Association of Tajikistan in hosting this event. Exhibitors came from as far away as India, Turkey, Holland, and Sweden.

The two-day agricultural fair highlighted the market potential of western Khatlon Province, the focus area of the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future initiative, and provided agricultural enterprises with an outstanding opportunity to meet potential partners from different regions of Tajikistan.

Ambassador Elliott remarked, "Today's fair celebrates the cooperation between farmers and agribusiness. It promotes business ties between local and international input suppliers that will increase agricultural production in Khatlon.  Finally, this fair will increase farmers' awareness of high quality, agricultural products available here in Khatlon."

At the fair, participants strengthened their relationships with local and international partners. Local farmers and suppliers learned new ways to improve food production and quality, as well as how to gain access to external markets.

Later in the day, Ambassador Elliott and Khatlon Province Administration officials celebrated the opening of a new refrigerated warehouse that has capacity to cool and store up to 400 metric tons of fruits and vegetables in Bokhtar district.  The new cold storage facility, developed with financial and technical support from the U.S. Government, will benefit over 300 farmers, retailers, and agricultural enterprises.

Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative, is one of the many assistance projects made possible by the American people through USAID.