One of the key environmental problems of the planet is growing wider the desert areas. It is due to improper use of pasture and croplands, the desertification process is rapidly growing through the world. According to statistics, 50 million hectares of land is deserted only in Russian Federation, the largest country in the world. Therefore 24 million tons of foods are wasted worldwide every year.
Scientists of soil domain say that in case of cotton sowing in slope lands, 20 sm of soil can be eroded or degraded within the period of 21 years. When sowing maize this number of years reaches to 50 years, natural herbs 25,000 years, and planting forest trees 170000 years. Another advantage of the forestry planting is that the leaves of the trees protect the soil from rain and hail damage, as well as their strong roots protect land from erosion.
In the republic, where 93 percent of total area makes mountains, due to precipitation the erosion of productivity of soil is being increased. Therefore, the majority of rain fed lands are green only in spring season, but with summer heat coming they are all dry. It should be noted that, with the instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the area of gardens and vineyards are growing in the country. According to data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan, under the “Gardening and Horticulture Development Program in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2016-2020”, this year 3188 hectares of new gardens and vineyards will be created. Prior to the adoption of mentioned program, the total area of gardens made 135.4 thousand hectares, and the vineyards was 36,1 thousand hectares. Gardens and vineyards are primarily created in the lands, where the soil moisture suffices for the growth of the seedlings. However in many southern parts of the country where the summer very hot and dry, creation of gardens and vineyards is difficult. Therefore, thousands of hectares of rain fed lands in Khatlon region are looking without trees.
The efforts made by experts of State Enterprise “Project Management Unit “Livestock and Pasture Development” (PMU) makes people optimistic about the fruitful future of rain fed lands. As the PMU Deputy Director – Mr. Abdulahad Khojaev has said, with the support provided by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the implementation of the second phase of “Livestock and Pasture Development Project” continues. Within the framework of Project's grant funding, along with the tractors, baler machines, ploughs, rotary mowers and other agricultural equipment 10500 units of waterboxes were provided from Holland and distributed to rural population of targeted districts. It is a special water tank installed in rain fed lands of the Project area (Farkhor, Temurmalik, Hamadoni, Vose and Dangara districts).
PMU Community Development Consultant – Mr. Rahmon Damonov has noted that in Istiklol village of Farkhor district, the pistachio garden is being created using the “waterboxes”. The seedlings’ growth is very good. Also, for the experience, on May 25th current year 8 tomato seedlings were planted using the "waterboxes", and currently are ready to give vegetables. Also, the melon seedlings are cultivated near the pistachio seedlings, which has benefited from the “waterbox” humidity.
- “Another advantage is – one Waterbox can be used to produce several plants. Its period of use makes 10 years. After the plant rooting, in second or third year the waterbox will be pulled out to cultivate another seedling in other place. While pulling it out the well grown root doesn’t hurt” says Mr. Turakul Murodov – Project Coordinator.
Besides the receiving fruits from pistachio, almond, nuts, apples, pears and other fruits, using the “waterbox” the local ecosystem will be improved and prevents lands from erosion and degradation. Therefore, the use of new technologies, along with water and soil protection, will also attract more foreign tourists, - says Rahmon Domonov.
The management of the Forestry Agency under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Agriculture is required to introduce the priority use of “waterbox” by involving heads of bigger farms by conducting site visits to “Livestock and Pasture Development Project” targeted districts. It is assumed that extensive use of the above mentioned equipment accelerates the implementation of the “Gardening and Horticulture Development Program in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2016-2020”, promoting improvement of ecological situation, preventing lands irrigation and degradation, increasing fruits and vegetables in production, promoting the development of beekeeping, and improving the economic situation of people.
State Enterprise “Project Management Unit 
State Enterprise “Project Management Unit