ECONOMY

Agriculture dominates the economy in the Zerafshan Valley. The Ayni district is intersected by north – south road, which allows the trade development in the area. Penjikent district opens to the west and traditional economic links exist between neighboring regions, although after the collapse of the Soviet Union the cross bordering trade volumes have been radical reduced. 

Despite the limited area available to farmers in the Valley agricultural production is remarkably high with good tasting natural seasonal food being available with some products from the area having a national and in some cases international reputation. Small fields form patchworks where the valley is wide enough and fruit trees cling improbably to hillsides. From The Penjikent district come the Kishmish raisins and the Devzira rice, Aini is well known for both apricots and nuts while Gorna Matcha supplies the country with a large proportion of its potatoes. Dairy products are also important along the valley made from both cow and sheep milk. Honey is also a local speciality and much sought after particularly that gathered form bees hived in the mountains.