[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1134, 207], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action fits into the long-standing support that EU and development partners are being delivering in reforming the water sector and will contribute to promote and stimulate water use efficiency."}, {"bbox": [97, 232, 1134, 392], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action will apply a landscape approach within cotton-based farming systems because cotton production is embedded in diverse farming systems and landscapes. Based on a climate risk assessment, the Action will support participatory climate-sensitive land use planning that addresses both productivity and income and food security aspects, and which bring most benefit in a given location. This will increase productivity, strengthen the resilience of the cotton farming systems and shield the households which depend on them against the impacts of climate change."}, {"bbox": [97, 418, 1134, 523], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action will therefore also contribute towards achieving the adaptation commitments and mitigation targets outlined for the AFOLU sector in Tajikistan's Nationally Determined Contributions (mitigation as co-benefit) and through sustainable land management also contribute towards the country's Land Degradation Neutrality targets under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)."}, {"bbox": [97, 550, 1134, 604], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action will also promote an increased share of sustainably produced cotton in the processed volumes, consistently with the \"farm to fork\" strategy³ which is at the heart of the European Green Deal."}, {"bbox": [97, 630, 1134, 814], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action contributes to the implementation of the Global Gateway Strategy⁴ via investments in sustainable agri-food systems and water as part of the investment priority \"Climate and Energy\". A climate-smart green transition through the cotton value chain will enable job creation, attract private sector investments (smart, clean and secure according to the Global Gateway principles) and enhance digital solutions in the agricultural sector. Progress will be in line with the country's ambition to pace up its green and digital transition, for example through the introduction of new information technologies, modernisation of equipment and new competitive products for national and international markets."}, {"bbox": [97, 842, 1134, 1029], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action is aligned to the government's political priorities as expressed in the National Development Strategy 2030, and to the objectives of the Medium-term Development Programme (MtDP) for the period 2021-2025, with a vision to unlock Tajikistan's potential in sectors such as agriculture, ensuring ecological transition, diversify the economy, and create jobs and spur economic growth. The MtDP identifies a number of goals e.g., deepening of the agrarian and water reforms in view of developing high-income agricultural production in the country; increasing sustainable access of agricultural enterprises to financial and credit resources, as well as necessary marketing information; and improving agribusiness and value chain infrastructure and logistics."}, {"bbox": [97, 1054, 1134, 1267], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action fully aligns with above-mentioned sector policies emphasising the need for sustainability, green private sector investments and digital technologies. The Action is equally relevant for Tajikistan's climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives, contributing to the implementation of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Implementation of these ambitions is however lagging behind due to the limited fiscal space for public investment and economic governance deficiencies that discourage private sector investment. This Action thus aims to address these challenges. Moreover, this Action represents an opportunity to promote the ambition of the EU with respect to the Green Deal, a key priority of the European Commission, and is in line with the Strategy for Green Economy Development in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2023-2037."}, {"bbox": [97, 1293, 1134, 1399], "category": "Text", "text": "Through the support to one of the top priority value chains in the country, the Action will reinforce the role of the EU as a key partner for water, energy and environment and will position itself as the privileged interlocutor of the Tajikistan government, strengthening the influence of the EU on agri-business reforms necessary for the economic development of the country."}, {"bbox": [85, 1451, 1143, 1525], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ European Union, European Commission (2020). Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52020DC0381"}, {"bbox": [85, 1525, 1143, 1604], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ European Union, European Commission (2022). Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank - The Global Gateway https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021JC0030&qid=1653525883495"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1143, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 20"}]