DUSHANBE, July 28, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik farmers are expected to produce 253,300 tons of potatoes this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

This year, Tajik farmers have planted potatoes on 12,356 hectares and they have produced 39,200 tons (16 percent of the target) from 2,300 hectares; average yields were 17.21 tons per one hectare, the source at a MoA said.

According to him, farming units in Sughd province have produced 1,732 tons of potatoes so far.  This year, Sughd farmers have planted potatoes on 5,449 hectares and they plan to produce 99,000 tons of potatoes this year.  Compared to last year, average potato yields in Sughd province have increased by 6 tons 10.7 tons/ha, the source added.

Farmers in Khatlon province have planted potatoes on 1,977 hectares this year and they have produced 21,195 tons of potatoes from 1,312 hectares to this day (average yields were 16.16 tons/ha).  This year, Khatlon farmers are expected to produce 45,200 tons of potatoes.

Districts subordinate to the center plan to produce 81,500 tons of potatoes this year.  Local farmers have planted potatoes on 3,500 hectares and to-date, they have produced 16,300 tons from 804 hectares (average yields were 12.13 tons/ha).