DUSHANBE, April 29, 2014, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan has reportedly achieved 80 percent of the cotton sowing target by April 28, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

“To-date, Tajik farmers have planted cotton on 159,500 hectares, which is 80 percent of this year’s cotton sowing target that has been determined at 199,451 hectares,” an official source at a MoA told Asia-Plus Monday afternoon.   

By April 28, farmers in Khatlon province have reportedly planted cotton on 111,600 hectares, which is 84 percent of their cotton sowing target.

Cotton growers in Sughd province have planted cotton on 43,800 hectares; their cotton sowing target for this year has been determined at 60,000 hectares.

Cotton growers in districts subordinate to the center (central Tajikistan) have planted cotton on more than 4,000 hectares so far; their cotton sowing target for this year has been determined at 7,251 hectares.

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.  Cotton fiber accounts for some 15 percent of Tajikistan’s exports.