DUSHANBE, January 22, 2016, Asia-Plus – Last year, Tajikistan produced cotton nearly 100,000 tons less than in 2014.

“In 2015, Tajik cotton growers yielded little more than 270,000 tons of raw cotton, which was 99,000 tons fewer than in 2014,” Tajik Minister of Agriculture Mahmadtohir Zokirzoda told reporters in Dushanbe on January 22.

The minister attributed decrease in cotton production to the fall in the international cotton prices, high prices for mineral fertilizers and watering problems.

“This year, Tajik cotton growing districts will plant cotton on 210,000 hectares, 30,000 hectares more than last year,” Zokirzoda said.   

According to statistical data from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Tajik farmers last year planted cotton on 180,000 hectares and they were expected to yield 390,000 tons of raw cotton.