KHUJAND, September 21, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Cotton-ginning factories operating in the northern Sughd province are providing local cotton producing farms with fuels, and therefore, they have no any serious fuel supply problems, according to the Sughd main agriculture directorate.

“24 large and small cotton ginneries now operate in the area and many of them are investing in cotton-harvesting campaign, supplying diesel fuel and engine oil to the cotton growing farms,” the source said.

According to him, refueling stations in the city of Khujand and Bobojonghafurov district now sell diesel fuel at 5.50 somoni per one liter.

“44,354 people, including 17,871 volunteers, are currently working in cotton plantations in northern Tajikistan,” he added.

By September 21, cotton growers in Sughd province have reportedly yielded 30,498 tons of raw cotton, which is more than 29 percent of their target.