DUSHANBE, July 18, 2013, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan is expected to gradually reduce areas under cotton following introduction of the diversified farming system.
The Deputy Agriculture Minister, Suyunkhon Rustamov, stated this at a news conference in Dushanbe on July 18.
He, in particular, noted that cotton field reduction trends have been seen in Tajikistan in recent years. According to him, areas under cotton are being reduced for both objective and subjective reasons.
“One of the reasons is the fall in the international cotton prices,” said the deputy minister. “The international cotton prices have fallen from 5,000 USD in 2009-2010 to 1,700 USD.”
He noted that reduction in cotton fields did not mean that Tajikistan would abandon cotton production, “because cotton is a strategic item for the country.”
“Under the concept developed by international consultants, areas under cotton will be gradually reduced that will allow increasing areas under oilseeds and developing livestock sector,” Rustamov said.
Over the past two years, areas under cotton have reportedly been reduced from 200,000 hectares to 191,000 hectares.
According to the statistical data from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Tajikistan has produced 3.8455 billion worth of agricultural goods over the first six months of this year, which is 12.1 percent more than in the same period last year.
Cotton now makes an important contribution to both the agricultural sector and the national economy. Cotton accounts for 60 percent of agricultural output, supports 75 percent of the rural population, and uses 45 percent of irrigated arable land. At the national level, it is an important source of both export earnings and tax revenue. Cotton fiber accounts for some 15 percent of Tajikistan’s exports. Tajikistan is reportedly the world’s fourth largest exporter of cotton, and there is strong demand on international markets for its high quality product.
