Tajikistan faces serious food crisis Tajikistan is caught in the grips of a severe drought, considered by many to be the worst in over 70 years. Click on image to see larger map and rainfall figures for 2000 w Cereal production down by nearly half The mission's report states that the country's winter and spring rainfed wheat crops, normally harvested in June and July, have failed almost completely due to the drought. In addition, water shortages and the poor condition of the country's irrigation systems have led to uneven cereal harvests from irrigated fields. This marks the third consecutive year cereal production has declined, but this year's drop is by far the largest.
Domestic production can cover the country's cereal requirements for only three months.
The report makes it clear that there is a very real possibility of hunger related deaths if action is not taken. The World Bank estimates that 85 per cent of Tajikistan's population lives below the poverty line. The mission found that many farm families are planning to sell off livestock to deal with food shortages. Many men are making plans to move to Russia in a desperate search for jobs to support their families. Long-term assistance needed Tajikistan needs more than just food aid to weather the current crisis.