Food Processing Expert

Background

The Agribusiness Competitiveness Activity in Tajikistan (ACAT) will work to expand and improve market systems in order to increase employment opportunities and income for agribusinesses.

The Agribusiness Competitiveness Activity in Tajikistan is a five-year, $18.6 million project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The activity will implement a market-driven approach, led by the private sector, to stimulate economic growth. increase employment and improve livelihoods by enhancing the competitiveness of Tajikistan's agribusinesses in dairy and horticulture.

By teaching local firms and service providers to identify and successfully engage in market opportunities, the project will build a cadre of change agents for sustained and equitable economic growth. This will also improve Tajikistan's ability to effectively participate in regional trade, improving the connectivity of countries in Central Asia and supporting overall regional stability.

The activity will focus primarily on building agribusiness competitiveness within targeted value chains. especially in Feed the Future's twelve focus districts in southwestern Khatlon on the border with Afghanistan. The project will provide demand-driven assistance to agricultural associations, cooperatives, market integrators, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in specific sub-sectors to take advantage of domestic, regional and international market opportunities.

Purpose of Assignment

USAID Agribusiness Competitiveness Activity in Tajikistan is cooperating with several food processing companies in Khatlon region, currently processing facilities have various difficulties that were identified and outlined by project consultant. Main task of the hired specialist will be working on troubleshooting identified issues related to the fruit and vegetable processing and operation of the processing equipment. Consultant will also be responsible for provision of technical recommendation for individual processors in Khatlon zone on steps need to be taken for reaching Good Manufacturing Practices baseline that will enable them to sell products (jams, juices, marinades) to food service in Dushanbe and Khatlon (hotel, restaurants etc.).