KHUJAND, September 10, 2011, Asia-Plus -- This year, cotton has ripened earlier than usual in the northern Sughd province, according to the Sughd agriculture directorate.

Experts from the agriculture directorate attribute early cotton ripening to favorable weather conditions, enough fertilizers made available to farming units and promptly conducted land treatment.

“Cotton chasing process is nearing completion and we will be able to make prognosis on the future harvest from September 16-21, the source said.

65,402 hectares have been allocated to cotton cultivation in Sughd province this year, which 11,400 hectares more than last year.

As of July 15, banks provided more than 16.4 million somoni in loans to local cotton growers, which is 36.4 percent of the originally planned.  Besides, more than 26.2 million somoni have been provided by private investors, the source added.

Local specialists estimate that it is necessary to invest at the rate of 4,800 somoni per one hectare in order to have good cotton harvest this year.