This gift in action
For the fruit and veg growers of Larkhobi in Tajikistan, the Oxfam Unwrapped greenhouse has had a big impact. Thanks to this super-insulated suntrap, they're able to grow bumper crops whatever the weather. So they can earn a decent income all year round.
Tajikistan's economy has deteriorated dramatically since the end of Soviet rule in 1991. Many families here rely on growing fruit and vegetables for their main source of food and income. However, regular drought and poor harvests make it hard to grow enough food to support themselves.
The greenhouse is a simple structure, built largely from local materials and polythene sheeting. The ingenious bit is its double-walled design, which traps the sun's heat for longer. That means there's no need for artificial heat – even during the coldest weather. In the lower altitude areas of Tajikistan, farmers use it to produce late tomato and cucumbers during the beginning of winter.
"Now we're producing four crops a year: seedlings in springtime, pepper and cucumber in summer and late vegetables in autumn and winter." Faizullo Kudratov, Oxfam Tajikistan