KHUJAND, May 6, 2009, Asia-Plus -- Bad weather conditions have caused serious damage to the agrarian sector in the Sughd province.  According to the Sughd agriculture directorate, the worst hit areas are Zafarobod, Ghonchi and Isfara districts.

“The hail got 2,300 hectares of cotton and grain fields in Zafarobod yesterday,” said the source at the Sughd agriculture directorate, “It is likely that farmers will have to re-sow crops on these fields.”

Yesterday’s heavy rainfalls also affected agricultural fields in Ghonchi and Isfara districts.  Specialists are currently working there to assess the actual volume of damage caused the districts by heavy rains, the source said.

Sughd’s agrarian sector has been suffering from heavy rainfalls since mid-April.  Farmers in Konibodom, Zafarobod, Mastchoh and Spitamen districts had to replant cotton on an area of 1,500 hectares.