DUSHANBE, October 25, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Cotton growers in the southern Khatlon province have fulfilled their cotton target by October 25 and are continuing to gather cotton in addition to their obligation, the Khatlon agriculture directorate head Sadullo Beknazarov told Asia-Plus Monday afternoon.

“Khatlon farmers have yielded more than 195,000 tons of raw cotton to this day, which is 100.6 percent of the target, determined at 194,000 tons of cotton,” Beknazarov said, noting that that average cotton yields have been 1.94 tons per hectare this year.  According to him, Khatlon farmers are expected to gather 210,000 tons of raw cotton this year.

Beknazarov noted that areas under cotton would be increased next year; 130,500 hectares will be allotted to cotton cultivation in the province in 2011.

According to the statistical data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the country has yielded 292,000 tons of raw cotton by October 25, which comprises more than 97.3 of this year’s target, which has been determined at 300,000 tons of cotton.

We will recall that 160,400 hectares have been allotted to cotton cultivation in the country this year.  In 2009, 170,400 hectare were allotted to the cotton cultivation and Tajik farmers yielded 296,000 tons of cotton last year.