The head of the Food Security Committee under the Government of Tajikistan, Muhammadsaid Faizullozoda, recently stated that the residents of the country have stocked up on food for two years. He drew this conclusion from his visits to cities and villages in the republic, without naming the regions or settlements he visited.
Experts doubt the veracity of the claims made by the head of the Food Security Committee, as the average salary in Tajikistan is about 2,500 somoni, which is approximately 230 dollars, and they believe that under current conditions, it will be difficult for Tajik citizens to create a two-year food supply.
President Rahmon constantly speaks about reserves for the residents of the country. What exactly his concern is expressed through is only a matter of speculation. The residents have repeatedly expressed their worries about the mismatch between salary levels and the rising prices of food and essential goods; however, the country’s leader is likely poorly informed about the real state of affairs. People lack money for their daily lives, living from paycheck to paycheck, and to set aside something for a year’s supply, payments above the minimum wage are necessary. The questionable statistics presented by President Rahmon during his address in December 2022, stating that the poverty level in Tajikistan decreased from 27.4% in 2018 to 22.5% in 2022, only indicate unrealistic figures, as with such indicators, about 80% of Tajikistan’s population should have overcome poverty and live in prosperity.