An article from the Institute for War & Peace Reporting says that Tajikistan is currently importing many of the crops it used to grow itself, because that is cheaper than growing them in Tajikistan. Some commentators foresee a crisis because although markets are well-stocked with food, these products are beyond the reach of average people. According to the article, the reasons for the decline in agricultural production are lack of arable land, soil degradation, an over-dependence on cotton which displaces edible crops, the lack of manpower in rural communities, and seasonal variables such as last winter’s unusually harsh climatic conditions.
