KHUJAND, August 28, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- .Cotton crop maturity is some two week behind the schedule in the Sughd province and specialists are currently working to define the possible productivity, according to the Sughd agriculture directorate.

“Good cotton harvest are expected this year in Konibodom, Jabborrasulov and Bobojonghafurov districts,” the source at the Sughd agriculture directorate said, noting that late cotton maturity has resulted from bad weather conditions and late sowing campaign.

According to him, cotton growing farms in Konibodom and Mastchoh districts will start cotton-harvesting campaign on September 10, while the remaining cotton-growing districts are expected to start the cotton-harvesting campaign after September 20.

This year, Sughd farmers have planted cotton on some 50,000 hectares, which is 25,000 hectares fewer than last year.  Sughd cotton farmers may yield 109,000 tons of raw cotton this year, the source said.