DUSHANBE, June 6, 2014, Asia-Plus – This year, Tajik farmers have planted cotton on 182,778 hectares, which is more than 116 hectares fewer than it was originally planned, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).
An official source at a MoA says 199,400 hectares of lands have been allocated to cotton cultivation this year. According to him, areas under cotton have been reduced due to the fall in the international cotton prices.
“This year, farmers in Khatlon province have planted cotton on 129,065 hectares instead of the originally planned 132,400 hectares, Sughd farmers have planted cotton on 54,354 hectares (60,000 hectares) and farmers in districts subordinate to the center have planted cotton on 5,359 hectares (7,251 hectares),” the source said.
In districts subordinate to the center, areas under cotton have been reduced because the government has ordered to increase areas under vegetables, fruits and fodders in order to ensure regular supply of vegetables, fruits, as well as dairy and meat products to Dushanbe and nearby districts, the source added.
