INTRODUCTION: ZARZO – A New Era for the Agricultural Sector of Tajikistan and Central Asia

The ZARZO project is fully consistent with the key priorities of the Tatarstan Production Sharing Agreement:

• Development of sustainable and competitive agriculture and food security;
• Implementation of innovations, modern biotechnologies and digital solutions in the agro-industrial complex;
• Expanding economic opportunities for women and youth in rural areas;
• Promoting environmentally friendly production and conservation of natural resources.

ZARZO is organically integrated into the FAO-Tajikistan RPF Strategy 2023–2027:

• Priority 1: Innovation and digitalization in agriculture (in vitro, Telegram bot, application, CRM);
• Priority 2: Access to high-quality planting material and knowledge (creation of a module for certified elite seed production of potatoes SE1, SE2, E);
• Priority 3: Greening and restoration of ecosystems (aeroponic and biotechnological solutions).

The ZARZO project was included in the national HiH investment pool based on the analysis of FAO geospatial data on hunger and poverty (SDG-2.1.2, SDG-2.3.1).

• The GHI 2023 Hunger Index map classifies the Rudaki and Varzob districts as “moderately hungry” (>15% of the population undernourished).
• The Cost of a Healthy Diet Index (COHi) is above $1.90/day, the threshold for HoH.
• Priority Landscape: The 15-km zone around the ZARZO centre covers 42,000 smallholder farmers (≤2ha), of which 58% are women.

The project meets the HiH “High Impact, High SDG value” criteria, which allows it to apply for the HiH Acceleration Facility and IFAD-FAO blended financing.

• Launch of the first in vitro laboratory in the Republic of Tatarstan, a greenhouse complex and an elite seed production module;
• Production of up to $6.25 million in revenue by year 5 (including through elite potato seeds);
• Ensuring 100% of domestic demand for certified seedlings and tubers;
• Involvement of more than 20,000 beneficiaries (farmers, women, youth, schools);
• Contribution to 8 SDGs: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15.

• The ZARZO project is classified as a "climate-adaptation" (GCF Category 3 - helping farmers survive droughts and extreme weather) and "low-water CSA" (i.e., agriculture that simultaneously increases yields, adapts to the climate, and reduces emissions) (GEF-7 SGP) - a grant stream of the 7th phase of the Global Environment Facility for "water-efficient climate-smart agriculture technologies".
• Baseline GHG emissions according to the EX-ACT model: -1,800 t CO₂-eq./year (due to the substitution of potato imports and the reduction of N₂O emissions).
• Adaptation effect: reduced vulnerability to drought for 210 hectares of potato crops by 2029.
• Compliance with Tajikistan’s NDC: paragraph 2.3 “Reducing dependence on food imports” and paragraph 3.1 “Implementation of CSA technologies”.

The project is being implemented on the basis of the registered ZARZO platform, with the right to:

• ownership of a 10-hectare land plot in the Rudaki area;
• construction of laboratories, greenhouses and seed production modules;
• production and sale of planting material, greenhouses, agricultural services and elite seeds;
• conducting educational and social programs.

The partner base includes TSU, TAU, the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, letters of support from the Ministry of Agriculture, and district administrations.

• Technologies: Implementation of in vitro, hydro- and aeroponics, digital monitoring (Telegram bot, CRM), full cycle of elite seed production (SE1, SE2, E) with international certification.
• Team: Scientific director (in vitro, seed production), biotechnologists, agricultural experts, financial director of projects.
• Production facilities: Laboratory (400 m²), greenhouse (4,000 m²), elite seed module, production workshops.
• Market: Up to 90% of planting material in Tajikistan is imported; demand for certified seeds is growing. Strong export potential (Afghanistan, Central Asia).

• Localization of the full production cycle (from in vitro to elite seeds and agricultural services) within the country;
• Sustainable partnerships with government agencies, international agencies, and research institutes;
• Flexible scalability model (adaptation to regions, export);
• Support for jamoats and schools to launch social and educational programs;
• Digitalization: Telegram bot, CRM, digital reporting, digital seed passports.

A special competitive advantage of the ZARZO project is the launch of a complete certified production cycle for elite potato seeds according to international FAO and EU standards.

Module structure:

• Year 1: In vitro → mini-tubers → Super-super-elite (SE1) production on 2.5 hectares;
• Year 2: SE1 sowing → Super-elite (SE2) production on 19 hectares;
• Year 3: SE2 sowing → Elite (E) production on 150 hectares;
• Next: Annual production cycle and sale of elite seeds for the domestic market and export.

Key components:

• Separate fields with buffer zones to prevent cross-contamination;
• Laboratory diagnostics, varietal purity control, and phytosanitary status monitoring at every stage;
• A set of specialized equipment for planting, harvesting, sorting, and packaging;
• Complete digital tracking of seed lots in the CRM system;
• Annual certification and external audit (FAO/EU/CIS).

Expected results and benefits:

• Production of up to 6,300 tons of elite certified potato seeds per year;
• Additional revenue of up to $6.25 million annually from the 5th year of implementation;
• National and export status as the only officially certified producer of elite potatoes in Tajikistan;
• Opportunity to participate in government and international support programs, export to Central Asian countries, the CIS, and Afghanistan.
• Increased farmer confidence, domestic market development, promoting the ZARZO brand as a guarantee of quality.

ZARZO is a multi-level platform that integrates:

• Government agencies: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tatarstan, khukumats, committees on land and ecology;
• Scientific and educational institutions: Tomsk State University, Tatarstan Agrarian University, the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, participating schools;
• Farmer associations and cooperatives: agrochats, mobile consultations, introduction of elite seeds;
• Women's and youth groups: focus on training and involvement in agricultural production, microloans;
• International partners and donors: FAO — sources of technical and financial support.

Communication is conducted through offline events, agricultural schools, a Telegram bot, CRM, and demonstration plots.

• Import dependence: 90% of seedlings and tubers are imported, often of low quality, with the risk of losing their variety.
• Lack of elite domestically produced seeds: no national supplier, lack of government programs to support small farms and exporters.
• Loss of local varieties, biodiversity, and seed stock.
• Lack of agricultural education and modern technologies: no agricultural classes in schools, poorly developed one-stop services.
• Weak system of integrated agricultural services and digital monitoring.

• Science: Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Tomsk State University, TAU, specialized research institutes — expertise and implementation of new technologies, certification.
• Education: pilot schools, agricultural classes, internships for youth and women.
• Local authorities: support, land allocation, approval of new modules.
• Financial partners: negotiations with the FAO International Fund.
• Civil society: women's councils, initiative groups, NGOs.

• Digital knowledge platform: online courses, manuals, webinars, newsletters.
• ZARZO Telegram bot: agricultural reminders, photo reports, support for farmers, communication with agronomists.
• Field agricultural schools and demonstration plots: trainings and "field days".
• Mentoring: internships for youth and women within agricultural classes, transfer of skills in elite seed production.

The ZARZO project is implemented through a flexible institutional model:

• Headquarters: ZARZO Management Team (legal entity), consisting of: CEO, Scientific Director, Operations Manager, CFO, Social Programs Coordinator, Head of the Elite Seed Production Module
• Technical Partners:
  • Tajik State University (TSU): scientific support, personnel training;
  • Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan: expertise and certification, methods for in vitro and elite seed production;
  • Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tatarstan: strategic coordination, promotion of certification;
  • Schools and jamoats: implementation of agro-classes and social programs.
• Coordination mechanisms:
  • Interdepartmental working group (ZARZO, Ministry of Agriculture, Tomsk State University, Taurus Agricultural University, Academy of Sciences, research institutes, donors);
  • Online monitoring dashboard for FAO, partners, and donors;
  • Telegram group and CRM for all participants.

• Allocation of a 10-hectare plot in the Rūdakū district (documented);
• Assistance in certification of in vitro, greenhouse, and elite planting material (SE1, SE2, E);
• Coordination with administrations and schools, support for agricultural schools and social programs;
• Inclusion of ZARZO components (including the elite module) in state agricultural and environmental development programs.

• FAO:
  • Grants — $17,555,000;
  • Expert and technical support for in vitro, monitoring, certification, and elite seed production (SE1, SE2, E);
  • Support for social and environmental initiatives;
  • Integration into FAO regional/global initiatives.
• Private partners and co-investors:
  • $500,000 — ZARZO contribution (land, preparation, start-up equipment);
  • Partner companies — logistics, transportation, packaging, distribution.

• Up to 90% of seedlings, mini-tubers, and elite seeds are imported from the CIS countries, Turkey, Iran, and China;
• In Tajikistan, annual production of approximately 1.3 million tons requires approximately 200,000 tons of seed. The main demand is for generations E-R1-R3, while a significant proportion of late-generation R4-R7 seeds are imported and are often inferior in quality, which increases foreign exchange costs and reduces yields;
• The potential market for domestic replacement of imported tubers is over 42,000 tons/year (Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan).

• >Rural schools do not have agricultural classes or specialized environmental education;
• Only 3% of rural students receive practical agricultural skills (Ministry of Education of the Republic of Tatarstan, 2023);
• There is high demand for agricultural schools and kits from teachers and parents.

• >27% of the population of the Republic of Tajikistan lives below the poverty line (World Bank, 2023);
• Rural youth unemployment is >30%;
• Only 12% of women have access to credit and resources for housekeeping.

• Up to 100% of the domestic potato seedling and seed market could be replaced by ZARZO products within 5 years;
• Potential export of elite seeds to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan — $0.9–1.8 million/year;
• Target audience: 20,000+ beneficiaries (farmers, women, youth, schools, cooperatives).

• Online consultations, agricultural reminders, photo reports, monitoring beneficiaries of social programs and elite seed production;
• Tree/sapling status tracking, built-in forms, agricultural school reports;
• Languages: Tajik, Russian, English.

• Accounting for all participants, monitoring the life cycle of seedlings, tubers, elite seeds (SE1-E), managing installments, and analytics;
• Automated reports, progress visualization.

• Online courses, webinars, e-learning for farmers and agricultural schools;
• Integration with a mobile app and national platforms.

• Mapping of plots and fields, GPS referencing, visualization of green areas and greenhouses.

• Direct integration with FAO and government platforms;
• Verification mechanisms through photos and independent audits.

• Telegram bot: photo recording of growth stages, GPS, reminders, questionnaires
• CRM system: accounting for all participants, finances, and the product life cycle
• Field teams: on-site inspections, agricultural schools, verification of results

• KPIs: volume of in vitro and elite seeds (SE1, SE2, E), survival rate, reach of families/schools/women/youth, returns under programs, increase in exports, decrease in imports
• Methods: annual surveys, audits (internal and external), SDG Impact Index
• Responsible: ZARZO Evaluation Department + external auditor (in agreement with FAO)

• Internal: Monthly CRM and bot data reports
• External: quarterly reports to FAO/donors with graphs, photos, and maps
• Public: annual public report, infographics, online dashboard

Training of personnel for the in vitro laboratory, greenhouse complex, and elite seed module:

• Basic training at TSU, TAU, and the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, in-house training;
• Internships and exchange of experience with foreign laboratories (Iran, Türkiye, CIS, China, EU);
• Qualification according to international standards (ISO, GLOBALG.A.P, FAO/EU for seed production);
• Training for agricultural consultants and field teams (Field Team ZARZO): agricultural services, agricultural audits, biopreparations, drip irrigation;
• Webinars and online courses for farmers and families through an educational platform and Telegram bot;
• Practical agricultural schools and demonstrations at the greenhouse complex and fields of the elite module.

School agro-classes (pilot in 20+ schools):

• Equipment sets, teaching materials;
• Career guidance, creation of "green patrols," training of teachers and local coordinators.

Support for district centers and jamoats:

• Donation of greenhouses and training kits, and the launch of the "Sapling of Hope" and "Fruit for a Sapling" projects, involving households and women.
• Training local specialists in agricultural support and services for the care of elite crops.

Strengthening the scientific base:

• Establishment of a regional center for in vitro and elite seed production based on ZARZO;
• Collaboration with research institutes and universities, conducting joint research, testing, conferences, and involving undergraduate and graduate students in projects.

• Permanent - laboratories, production, agricultural support;
• Seasonal/flexible — harvesting, planting, participation in social programs (for housewives and young people);
• Partial - through agro-cooperatives and family micro-business programs;
• Incentive payments – bonuses for results in Field Team and agricultural schools.

• Micro-installments for women (home greenhouses, growing);
• Selling surplus through ZARZO Marketplace;
• Tree and product buyback ("Sapling of Hope", "Fruit for a Sapling").

Эффект:

200 direct jobs in 2 years, 1,000+ participants with income, 60% women and youth.

• Avoiding pesticides/herbicides in production and adaptation;
• New generation biopreparations: humates, mycorrhiza, bacteria;
• Agroecological practices: crop rotation, cover crops, mulching, localized application of organic matter.

• Minimal tillage, manual planting, drip irrigation (water savings up to 70%);
• Water recycling, soil analysis and recommendation services.

• Bank of clones of local varieties;
• "Fruit for a Sapling" - a diversity of cultures, with an emphasis on traditional and medicinal crops;
• Diversity of trees in the "Sapling of Hope" programs.

• Local greenhouses with natural lighting;
• Support of “green belts”, composting, vermiculture farms;
• Planting >50,000 trees by 2028 (CO₂ offset potential).

SDG Integration:

• SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
• SDG 13 – Climate Action
• SDG 15 — protection of terrestrial ecosystems

• Target: at least 40% women among beneficiaries and participants of programs.
• Women in all components:
  • work in laboratories, greenhouses, agricultural services,
  • agro-classes in schools, mentoring,
  • management of micro-greenhouses and agro-sets.
• Gender priorities in social programs:
  • priority inclusion of women from low-income families,
  • right of repurchase, microloans, special kits for women,
  • Training and support via a Telegram bot and mobile teams.
• Domestic policy:
  • at least 50% women on the team,
  • career growth, training and international internships,
  • Women's inclusion in digital services, online courses without restrictions.
• Monitoring:
  • Gender mainstreaming in CRM, gender audit of social programs, consultations with FAO on gender impact.

Geographic and cultural focus:

• Rudaki district and historical zones: Gissar, Varzob, Darvoz, Vakhsh, Aini, Pyanj, Baljuvan and others;
• materials, bot, agricultural schools - in Tajik, taking into account local traditions.

Inclusiveness:

• The project is open to all residents, with an emphasis on involving traditional households, schoolchildren, and teachers;
• Respect for traditional farming combined with innovations (in vitro, biofertilizers).

Economic benefits:

• Free seedlings, agro-kit supplies, jobs and income through agricultural services, training, and online access;
• selling products/services through the Marketplace;
• “Fruit for a seedling” – participation without financial investment.

Advocacy and Engagement:

• participation of jamoats and mahallas, schools in planning,
• FPIC principle (free, informed consent),
• Monitoring interests through agrochats and CRM.