Ovchi-Qal’acha Jamoat

Geographic location

Ovchi-qalacha Rural Jamoat is part of Bobojon Ghafurov District, Sughd Region. It lies in the south-western part of the district, on the border with the Kyrgyz Republic, on the bank of the Khojaboqirgon stream. The total area of the jamoat is 581.4 hectares. Its population is 22,191. Population density is 22 people per km²; the administrative centre of the jamoat is the village of Qalacha.

To the south, Ovchi-qalacha borders Leylek District of the Kyrgyz Republic; to the west, Unji Jamoat; to the north, Khistevarz; and to the east, J. Rasulov District. The distance from Ovchi-qalacha to the town of Ghafurov is 16 km, to Khujand 30 km, and to the airport 15 km.

Administrative structure

The jamoat administratively comprises the villages of Qalacha, Ovchi, Shaykhon, Michurin, Dehnav, Sebzor, Pakhtaobod and Yangimehnat. Qalacha, Ovchi and Shaykhon are the most populous, accounting for 76.5% of the population. There are 4,468 households in the jamoat, served by 10 mahalla committees.

Table 1. Population and households of Ovchi-qalacha Rural Jamoat

Table 2. Forecast for 2020

Historical and cultural background

Ovchi-qalacha Jamoat lies within Bobojon Ghafurov District and was established in 1925. Between 1941 and 1957 the village of Ovchi-qalacha was known as Chkalov.

By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Tajik SSR of 14 May 1941, Ovchi-qalacha District was created within Leninabad Region with its centre in the village of Ovchi-qalacha. Under the second part of the same decree, the village was renamed Chkalov. By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Tajik SSR of 19 September 1950, Chkalov District was abolished and its territory was incorporated into Leninabad District. Later, at the request of the Executive Committee of the Council of Workers’ Deputies of Leninabad Region, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Tajik SSR, by its Decree of 18 April 1957, restored the Chkalov Village Soviet’s former name — Ovchi-qalacha Village Soviet.

Economy and infrastructure

The jamoat is home to two dehkan-farm associations (the R. Qosimov Association and the “Khojaboqirgon” Association), which together comprise 529 dehkan farms and 175 individual dehkan farms. Other enterprises include the G. Masaidov nursery, the “Boghparvar” seed-growing facility, one brickyard and one concrete-processing plant.

Public services in the jamoat include 13 retail outlets, 21 public-catering points, 42 consumer-service points, 6 schools, secondary vocational school No. 5, kindergarten No. 6, 3 libraries, 1 club, District Hospital No. 7, 3 health centres, 3 health houses and 7 chaikhanas.

Climate and agriculture

The jamoat lies along the Khojaboqirgon stream and has a dry, windy climate. Average summer temperatures range from +25 °C to +40 °C; winter temperatures can drop to −20 °C.

Fertile soils and the waters of the Khojaboqirgon stream have shaped the agriculture of the jamoat — cotton, grain, fruit and vegetables, rice and grapes. Silk farming has also developed here. Because average annual rainfall is low (150–300 mm), intensive irrigation is essential. Gravel deposits in the foothills along the Khojaboqirgon stream create opportunities for extracting construction gravel.

Population

The jamoat’s population totals 22,191. Tajiks, Uzbeks and Kyrgyz live in the jamoat. The average age of the population is 57; middle-aged residents account for the largest share (52%).

Table 3. Ethnic composition of the jamoat

Economy

The jamoat’s economy rests on agriculture, which employs 80% of the population. The main outputs are vegetables, grain, fruit and cotton — produced largely by dehkan farms.

Healthcare

Residents are served by District Hospital No. 7, three health centres and three health houses.

Education

The jamoat has 6 general-education schools, 1 private gymnasium, 1 supplementary-education institution and 1 kindergarten.

Outlook

Ovchi-qalacha Jamoat is one of the talent pools of Bobojon Ghafurov District and a source of clean drinking water for Sughd Region. The jamoat produces high-quality agricultural goods, and its residents are gainfully employed. It is also a recreational and leisure area with historical and cultural significance.

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

Strengths

• Highly qualified personnel
• Natural conditions
• Location of the jamoat
• Agricultural production
• Livestock farming
• Irrigation water
• Border location
• Cohesive community
• Fertile land

Weaknesses

• Limited land
• Lack of production facilities and jobs
• Proximity to the state border in terms of security
• Absence of a recreation and leisure centre for young people
• Poor condition of roads
• Inadequate land management

Opportunities

• Border location
• Proximity to the city
• Construction of a small hydropower plant
• Establishing a small enterprise
• Increasing agricultural output

Threats

• Border location
• Radicalisation
• Natural hazards
• Soil erosion