In the Shahrinav district of Tajikistan, Mr. Tui Gulov has dedicated more than two decades to building a thriving family farm. What began in 2000 with a small vineyard has steadily expanded into a diversified agricultural enterprise that today provides food, income, and employment opportunities for his community.
In 2023, Mr. Tui Gulov began his cooperation with CJSC Bank Arvand, one of the country’s leading microfinance institutions. His first financing was for the construction of a cold storage facility to preserve grapes and fruits after harvest. The project cost TJS 2 million, of which TJS 480,000 was financed by the Bank. With four chambers, each generating around TJS 1,000 in rental income per day during the October–March storage season, the facility quickly became a profitable venture, allowing him to both preserve his own crops and provide services to other farmers.
Encouraged by this success, Mr. Tui Gulov secured a new loan of TJS 400,000 from Bank Arvand to build a greenhouse, which is currently under construction. Once operational, it will enable him to cultivate tomatoes and cucumbers throughout the year and supply local markets with fresh produce.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Tui Gulov also established an orchard covering 8.76 hectares, in which he invested more than TJS 700,000 of his own resources. Now 12 years old, the orchard produces steadily increasing yields, with annual sales projected to reach TJS 227,000.
Mr. Tui Gulov’s loans are fully repaid from farm income, and he is known for making his payments on time. The profits generated from his orchard and cold storage have already allowed him to reinvest significantly, purchasing two tractors with equipment, two electric cargo vehicles (Asia brand), and more than 15 head of cattle. To protect his crops, he applies pest-control treatments when needed. He also uses his cold storage facility strategically to hold produce when market prices fall, selling later at more favorable conditions.
Today, his farm extends over 12 hectares, much of it in hilly areas. Irrigation pumps are essential for productivity, and Mr. Tui Gulov plans to apply for additional financing from Bank Arvand to purchase larger pumps to reduce water use and further improve efficiency. The farm currently provides seasonal employment for up to 10 local residents, many of them women engaged in tasks such as grape tying, fruit picking, and other seasonal work. With the greenhouse and future plans for small-scale grape processing into juices and raisins, Mr. Tui Gulov expects to create more jobs in the coming years.
Beyond employment, his farm plays a role in strengthening local food security by supplying fresh products to nearby communities, reducing dependence on imported goods, and improving nutrition. Modern irrigation systems also contribute to climate action by conserving water and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Through clients like Mr. Tui Gulov, Bank Arvand demonstrates how tailored financial products can support growth at every stage of a small business’s journey, from vineyard expansion to storage infrastructure and greenhouse cultivation. By combining financing with advisory support, the Bank helps entrepreneurs like Mr. Tui Gulov transform their ambitions into sustainable enterprises. “The support of Arvand Bank has given my farm a new impulse for growth. Modern storage and greenhouse technologies open great opportunities to expand production and strengthen our market position. I am grateful to the Bank’s management and the branch I cooperate with, and I wish Arvand Bank many years of prosperity, stability, and growth.” said Mr. Tui Gulov.
