DUSHANBE, December 25, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik farmers have yielded some 415,000 tons of raw cotton this year, which is 3.3 percent higher than the national target that has been determined at 401,000 tons of raw cotton, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

The source at a MoA says farmers in Khatlon province have yielded some 278,900 tons (5.5 percent higher than their target) of raw cotton this year, Sughd province – some 113,700 tons (1.1 percent higher than the target), and districts subordinate to the center- 21,500 tons (85 percent of the target).

Cotton makes an important contribution to both the agricultural sector and the national economy. Cotton accounts for 60 percent of agricultural output, supports 75 percent of the rural population, and uses 45 percent of irrigated arable land.  At the national level, it is an important source of both export earnings and tax revenue.  Tajikistan is the world’s fourth largest exporter of cotton, and there is strong demand on international markets for its high quality product.