Tolibov Muhsin (fifth from left) attended an Ag-Fair with other agro-dealers.
Working with the USAID-funded Productive Agriculture in Tajikistan project, Tolibov Muhsin has been able to dramatically increase the size and revenue of his agro-input business by better serving farmers in his region. Prior to linking to the project, Muhsin had a small business selling crop protection products (CPPs) to farmers in Jamoat Unji of the B. Gafurov district of Sughd oblast. At that time, Muhsin had little access to farmers from other districts.
Participating in training and seminar programs taught Muhsin marketing techniques that would help increase his business. He began to advertise in newspapers and on local television stations. The increased exposure helped generate additional business for his store, allowing him to open a second and larger shop (FAVZ) in Khujand that sells seeds, CPPs and fertilizers to a larger customer base not only from B. Gafurov but also from the surrounding districts of Isfara, Asht, Match and Spitamen.
Muhsin was recently awarded a contract from the project to supply seed and fertilizers to area farmers for a fertilizer voucher program focused on onions in Tajikistan’s Zafarobod district. Because of his work with the project’s voucher program, his sales of agro-inputs increased by about $44,000 and he made new contacts with other agro-dealers and farmers. As a result of his participation in several international Ag-Fairs financed by the project, Muhsin began selling new product lines, generated new customers who have the potential to increase his sales in the future and signed agreements with two input suppliers from the Kyrgyz Republic for the purchase of seed corn and fertilizer.
Through Muhsin’s work with the Productive Agriculture in Tajikistan project, he learned that farmers were unable to apply CPPs due to a lack of proper equipment. Therefore, he purchased backpack sprayers for his customers to use in their fields, and he plans to expand services to his farmer-customers by using his agro-input shop to hold trainings and seminars.
“My participation in trainings provided by the project helped me to obtain additional skills in marketing, agribusiness development and to collaborate with farmers and international organizations,” Muhsin said. “After my participation in the onion voucher program, I realized increased financial returns.” The additional revenue allowed Muhsin to purchase a computerized record-keeping system for his business.
Written 2011
Country: Tajikistan