Finance, technical assistance and training will also be made available to farmers for the cleaning of drainage collectors by contractors; the repair of wells, which will increase water availability and contribute to localized lowering of water tables; the possible use of black plastic to reduce leakages in supply channels at strategic locations; the installation of recirculation systems to prevent waste water returning to rivers; and the installation of drip irrigation technology in specialized circumstances.

Currently excessive diesel consumption results in excessive carbon pollution and farmers will receive training from FOM in systems of reduced or minimum tillage, and specialized equipment to enable improved implementation of these systems will be made available for hire.

Based on previous experience in the use of these methods in the region, it is anticipated that the improved irrigation management measures will reduce movement of irrigation water to the water table; reduce water consumption by 30-40% and enable current cotton yields to be increased by 30-50%.

Impacts on International Waterways. The project relies on water from the Syr Daryr river, which is an international waterway that ultimately discharges into the Aral Sea. Implementation of the project is anticipated to have beneficial impacts on the quantity and quality of water in the river. This will include an overall reduction in the amount of water extracted and a reduction of returned waste water, since drainage water will be intercepted and re-circulated. Since these impacts will not adversely change the quality and quantity of water, but should result in positive improvements, other riparian states need not be notified of the project as required by IFC’s Policy on Projects on International Waterways. However since widespread adoption of the project’s proposed improved irrigation measures could have significant regional benefits and contribute to halting the environmental degradation of the Aral Sea, the FOM will be encouraged to initiate contact and maintain dialogue with regional stakeholders.

Erosion Control and Watershed Protection. The implementation of laser leveling and minimum tillage systems and improved irrigation management will enable erosion control and contribute to watershed protection. The FOM will provide training to farmers in land capability, potential land use and enterprise options. The widespread adoption of such improved irrigation management and land use planning in the region could contribute significantly to addressing severe environmental degradation of the Aral Sea, which has largely been caused by excessive diversion of water for irrigation. In this regard the project will provide a good demonstration of appropriate irrigation management and land use planning systems.

Pesticides and Chemical Fertilizers Handling and Application. Currently farmers have received little or no training in safe pesticides storage, handling and usage. The project will initiate a program to ensure appropriate training, the implementation of adequate systems and procedures and will provide finance for, and make available, personal protection equipment for farmers. In addition pesticides and chemical fertilizers will only be made available for specific applications; all applications by FOM will be in accordance with the label; applications will only be made in accordance with a pesticide application management plan (PAMP); and pesticides will not be sold directly to farmers for their own use who have not completed a basic course in pesticide, handling and use.

An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program will also be developed by FOM to ensure compliance with IFC’s Pest Management Policy. This will promote biological or environmental control methods over chemical pesticides when possible, and will build on previous research and successful application in Tajikistan. It will also ensure that pesticides used will be effective against the target species; have negligible human health effects; have minimal effect on non-target species and the natural environment; and will be used in a program that minimizes development of resistance.

Occupational Health and Safety. In addition to the pesticide and chemical fertilizers handling and application issues mentioned above, FOM will address other occupational health and safety measures relating to implementation of the laser leveling program, operation of the irrigation and crop production system and all associated machinery, and transmission of water borne diseases on the irrigation scheme.

Potential Use of Harmful Child Labor. The FOM company will not hire any child labor. However households belonging to the two Farmers’ Associations, which will be shareholders in the company, have traditionally used child labor in the family context, particularly in respect of cotton picking and harvesting. However available information indicates that school children are no longer employed for harvesting, although input is still obtained from college students (17-18+). The harvesting operation will not be mechanized, since costs are similar to manual harvesting and income returns from labor constitute a significant proportion of overall household income.

The FOM, in conjunction with the Farmers’ Associations, will compile a company employment policy and action plan to ensure compliance by shareholders with the national laws of Tajikistan, including international agreements ratified by Tajikistan, and IFC’s Policy Statement on Forced Labor and Harmful Child Labor. Under IFC’s policy there will be no employment of individuals under threat of force or penalty, and there will be no harmful employment of children (i.e. employment that is likely to be hazardous to, or interfere with, the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health, or physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development).

The company’s employment policy and action plan will clearly state the principles and actions that will be undertaken to achieve objectives and compliance, monitor performance and report results. The company’s employment policy will specifically address measures to ensure adherence to minimum age requirements; that young girls/women are not involved in pesticide spraying operations; that periods of cotton picking by children are limited; that children do not use difficult or hazardous equipment; and that schooling is not interrupted.

Organizational/Institutional Development, Capacity Building, Public Consultation and Disclosure. After the fall of the Soviet Union cotton production in Tajikistan was liberalized and various traders and other middlemen became involved in financing inputs. The farmers’ lack of experience and knowledge of new and complex financing systems, and weak local organizational development and capacity, resulted in farmers being disadvantaged in these transactions. The FOM project seeks to enable farmers to take control of their own crop production and commercial activities. In order to ensure that farmers are able to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the project, FOM will implement a comprehensive training program to strengthen the organizational/ institutional development and capacity of existing farmers’ associations and associated interest groups. A Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan will also be prepared by FOM to ensure adequate communication with, and feedback from the farmers’ associations and their shareholders, local authorities, NGO’s and community based organizations.