This year, Tajik farmers plan to plant potatoes, which are a staple of the diet in Tajikistan, in an area of 72,000 hectares. The main sowing will be carried out in an area of 58,000 hectares, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).
A source at a MoA says that if average potato yields are more than 20 tons/ha, the harvest will be about 1.5 million tons.
To achieve this objective, the country has increased import of seed potatoes and begun to adapt them to local conditions.
During this year, Tajikistan plans to import more than 1,000 tons of seed potatoes from Belarus alone, the source added.
Last year, Tajikistan reportedly imported 526 tons of seed potatoes of Red Scarlett and Big Rossa varieties from the Russian Federation.
Besides, Tajikistan imported 135.5 tons of seed potatoes of Picasso varieties from neighboring Kyrgyzstan.
These seed potatoes were reportedly distributed to faming units in Rasht and other districts across the country.
Tajik farmers also grow some Dutch potato varieties seed and domestic produces also grow seed potatoes in their own farming units.
Recall, the Minister of Agriculture Sulaimon Ziyozoda told reporters in Dushanbe on February 9 that Tajikistan last year produced potatoes fewer than necessary – 1.020 million tons.
“Average potato consumption per capita is 92 kilograms, while last year, average potato consumption per capital in the country was 70 kilograms,” Ziyozoda said.
