KULOB, February 21, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- 108 farming units in four cotton-growing districts of Khatlon’s Kulob region have already paid off loans received from Amonatbonk (Tajikistan’s savings bank), the head of Amonabonk’s regional branch in Kulob Mahmadullo Rahmonov said.

According to him, 8.22 million somoni of state funds were provided to local cotton farmers in loans through Amonatbonk last year, and they have repaid 64.8 percent of state funds so far.

“Today, we are receiving loan applications for this year’s cotton sowing and harvesting campaign,” said Rahmonov, “We have already received cotton loan applications from 270 farming units.”