FAO supports Tajikistan in strengthening digital pest surveillance

FAO has, in particular, supported the State Entity “Plant Protection and Agricultural Chemicals” (SEPPAC) of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan in establishing a digital pest surveillance centre. The centre will enhance systematic data collection, real-time monitoring, and advanced analysis of pest dynamics, empowering authorities to make evidence-based decisions and promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which prioritizes prevention and ecological approaches over routine chemical use. 

As part of this initiative, today FAO handed over IT equipment, including laptops and tablets, to SEPPAC, intended to improve digital field reporting, data management and coordinated response efforts across pest surveillance teams. 

Protecting crops from pests and plant diseases remains a pressing challenge for agricultural production worldwide. FAO estimates that pests and diseases account for more than 30 percent of annual crop losses globally, underscoring the importance of robust surveillance and early warning systems to safeguard food security and rural livelihoods. 

In Tajikistan, traditional pest management has relied heavily on specialist expertise and chemical pesticides. Limited access to modern digital monitoring tools has constrained the ability to systematically track pest populations and respond promptly to emerging threats, contributing to high pesticide use with associated environmental and health concerns. 

“Agriculture today faces ever-increasing pressures from climate change and shifting pest dynamics,” said Aghasi Harutyunyan, FAO Representative a.i. in Tajikistan. “The establishment of this digital pest surveillance centre will strengthen national capacities for early detection and informed response, supporting farmers to protect their crops while reducing risks to human health and the environment.”

The digital centre strengthens Tajikistan’s national pest management system by enabling better data flow and analytical capacity. It complements broader FAO-supported efforts to build technical expertise, including recent national training courses for plant protection specialists on advanced survey design and digital tools for field data collection. 

“The digital centre marks a significant milestone for plant protection services in Tajikistan,” said Dilshodbeg Ahmadov, Director of SEPPAC. “With improved access to real-time data and modern monitoring tools, we will be better equipped to detect pest outbreaks early and deliver timely guidance to farmers across the country.”

This initiative aligns with Tajikistan’s broader strategy to modernize agricultural services and adopt digital solutions that improve efficiency, resilience and sustainability. FAO’s support for digitalization in agriculture builds on national digital agriculture frameworks that aim to harness digital technologies for decision-making, planning and service delivery across the sector. 

The establishment of the digital pest surveillance centre represents a critical step in advancing modern, evidence-based pest management. By strengthening national capacities for early warning and encouraging IPM practices, the initiative supports long-term agricultural productivity, environmental protection and improved health outcomes for rural communities.