DUSHANBE, November 26, 2013, Asia-Plus — A cotton-harvesting campaign is reportedly nearing completion in Tajikistan.
By November 26, Tajik cotton growers have yielded some 392,000 tons of raw cotton, which is 96 percent of this year’s target that has been determined at 405,000 tons, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).
Cotton growers in the southern province of Khatlon have fulfilled their cotton target in late October. They have yielded 270,000 tons of raw cotton by October 28, the source noted.
Cotton growers in Sughd province have yielded more than 112,500 tons of raw cotton by November 26, which is 95 percent of their target.
Cotton growers in districts subordinate to the center have yielded 11,400 tons of raw cotton by November 26, which is only 48 percent of their target.
This year, Tajik farmers have planted cotton on 192,000 hectares, which is 8,000 hectares fewer than last year. Specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture expect them to yield more than 406,000 tons of raw cotton this year.
Last year, Tajik farmers yielded 415,000 tons of raw cotton from 200,000 hectares.
Cotton is most used fiber of the world. The demand for cotton is increased day by day. To fulfill the demand of raw cotton fiber different cotton producing countries are trying their best. Last September, Tajikistan reportedly exported 6,042 tons of cotton fiber for a total amount of 10,000 USD.
In Tajikistan, cotton 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.
