Geographic location and natural conditions
The rural jamoat of Dadoboy Kholmatov is part of Bobojon Ghafurov District in Sughd Region and is situated on the plains along the right bank of the Syr Darya River. The climate of the jamoat is arid: average summer temperatures range from +25 °C to +40 °C, while winter temperatures drop to −20 °C. Average annual precipitation is 150–300 mm.
Fertile soils and the water resources of the Syr Darya make the area well suited to agriculture, in particular grain growing, cotton, sericulture (silkworm rearing), vegetable production, horticulture and viticulture, as well as livestock farming. The territory of the jamoat is rich in commonly occurring mineral resources such as stone, soil, gravel and sand.
Historical and cultural overview
The rural jamoat of Dadoboy Kholmatov has a relatively short history. Its origins date back to the late 19th century, when migrants from the left bank of the Syr Darya — the inhabitants of the villages of Rumon, Kulangir and Unji (today part of the H. Usmonov jamoats and the Unji jamoat) — settled here. Peasant farmers migrated to the area to open up new arable land, taking up plots suitable for cultivation and growing various crops including cotton, rice, melon-field crops and vegetables.
Over time the area of arable land expanded, and after the October Revolution, during the period of collectivization, these lands passed into the management of the Molotov kolkhoz and later the Moskva kolkhoz. As arable land was further expanded onto the Somghor steppe — where fruit orchards and vineyards were established — the area, after the merging of smaller farms, was transferred in 1957 to the Urunkhojaev kolkhoz.
One year later, in connection with the establishment of the D. Kholmatov jamoat (the former “Pakhtakor” Village Soviet), the “Somghor” horticulture and viticulture sovkhoz was founded, and the first residential houses of the villages of Sumchaki Nav and Kuibyshev (Zarkoron) were laid down. The population arrived as labour migrants from Shahriston District and the surrounding villages — Somghor, Unji, Rumon and Kulangir — to live and work there permanently.
One of the founders of this area was Dadoboy Kholmatov, a hereditary farmer and later one of the well-known figures of the collective-farm movement in the history of the republic, who made a significant contribution to its establishment and development. In 2001, the former “Pakhtakor” Village Soviet was renamed in honour of this distinguished man.
Administrative structure
The jamoat comprises 2,400 households, and its territory is divided into 3 large villages and 6 smaller settlements.
Demographic profile
According to statistical data as of 1 January 2015, the population of the jamoat was 12,994. The annual population growth in 2015 compared with 2014 was 0.816 thousand people. As of the end of 2014, there were 6,458 men and 6,536 women. Population density was 448 people per 1 km².
The bulk of the population is of middle age (56.1%), forming the main group of working-age residents.
Table 1. Ethnic composition of the jamoat’s population
| Ethnic group | Share |
|---|---|
| Tajiks | 82.9% |
| Uzbeks | 16.5% |
| Other ethnic groups | 0.81% |
| Total | 100% |
Economy
The economy of the jamoat is based on agriculture, which employs 80% of the population. Local farms and residents are mainly engaged in the production of vegetables, grain, fruit and grapes (chiefly through dehkan farms).
The D. Kholmatov jamoat is a leading centre of horticulture and viticulture, a hub of developed industry, and a frontrunner in small and medium-sized entrepreneurship — all of which has had a positive impact on the social well-being of the population. Residents benefit from a favourable social infrastructure and a sound environmental setting, and lead settled and peaceful lives.
Strengths, weaknesses and opportunities
The development outlook has been drawn up on the basis of an analysis of positive and negative aspects of development, as well as opportunities and threats.
Strengths
- Availability of highly qualified personnel
- Natural resources (land, orchards and vineyards)
- Presence of industrial enterprises and engineering and communications infrastructure
- Established social infrastructure
- Proximity to the regional centre
- Presence of communications infrastructure
- Well-developed livestock sector
- Recreation areas of regional importance
- Availability of water resources and water-distribution facilities
Weaknesses
- Shortage of drinking and irrigation water
- Poor land-reclamation condition of agricultural land
- Industrial enterprises not operating at full capacity
- Lack of civic responsibility among some residents
- Growing volume of local waste
- Limited jamoat budget
- High interest rates on loans from financial institutions
- Outdated and worn-out agricultural machinery
- Technological obsolescence of equipment at industrial enterprises
- Limited expertise of local specialists in marketing, organization of entrepreneurial activity, technologies for processing agricultural products and similar matters
- High level of damage caused by diseases of orchard and vineyard crops
Opportunities
- Existence of the B. Ghafurov District Development Programme
- Implementation of the Rural Development Programme
- Reforms in the economic and social spheres
- Interest from foreign investors
- Priority status of tourism development at the national level
- Existence of improved legislation on local self-government bodies
Threats
- Floods and other natural disasters
- Climate change
- Global economic crisis
- Fluctuations in product prices on world markets
- Epidemics and pandemics
- Political instability in neighbouring countries