KHUJAND, May 11, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Because of bad weather conditions and recent torrential rain, farmers in the Sughd province have to re-sow cotton on an area of totaling 2,225 hectares, the head of the Sughd agriculture directorate Bobojon Domulloyev said.

According to him, the worst hit area is the Zafarobod district.  “In Zafarobod, recent heavy rainfalls have damaged 1,837 hectares of cotton and grain fields,” said Domulloyev, “Damage caused by bad weather conditions to the Zafarobod district is estimated at 2.2 million somoni.   70 tons of seeds and 10 tons of diesel fuel have been sent to the district.”

Recent torrential rain has also caused serious damage to the Konibodom and Mastchoh districts, where farmers have to re-sow cotton on 625 and 441 hectares respectively.

Regional authorities have charged local banks to begin providing loans to farming units as soon as possible, Domulloyev said.