QURGHON TEPPA, April 27, 2011, Asia-Plus — Khatlon authorities are seriously concerned over food security in the province.
The Khatlon finance directorate head Sharif Ghafourov says that following increasing international cotton prices local farmers now prefer to grow only this agricultural crop, “forgetting all about food security of their families.”
“The food security problem is topical not only for Tajikistan, this problem is also topical for the whole world,” said Ghafourov. “Besides, drought has affected some areas under wheat in Tajikistan this year. In Vose district alone, nearly 1,600 hectares of areas under cereals have been affected by drought.”
The Khatlon finance official called on representatives of media to explain to farmers that it is important to grow other agricultural crops such as grains, vegetables and others as well. He reminded that the budget for 2011 did not earmark funds for providing food security.
