DUSHANBE, August 21, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Since the beginning of this year, all categories of farms have produced 26,800 tons of fruits, which is 24 percent of this year’s target and 5,000 tons more than in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

The source at a MoA says Tajik farmers plan to produce some 113,000 tons of fruits this year.

“This year, Tajik farmers plan to gather more than 66,000 tons of grapes,” said the source, “Meanwhile, they have produced only 725.3 tons of grapes by August 20, which is only 1.1 percent of the target.”

The northern Sughd province plans to produce some 65,000 tons of fruits this year.  To-date, Sughd farmers have produced 21,000 tons of fruits (32 percent).

Farmers in Khatlon province are expected to produce more than 25,000 tons of fruits this year.  They have reached 21 percent of the target to this day, having gathered 5,300 tons of fruits.

Farming units in districts subordinate to the center have produced 532.5 tons of fruits so far.  This year, they plan to gather 16,000 tons of fruits.  Districts subordinate to the center plan to gather 14,000 tons of grapes this year.