DUSHANBE (Asia-Plus) — An official source at a MoA says that under the preliminary cotton crop forecast Tajik cotton growing districts are expected to yield 399,000 tons of raw cotton this year.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the country’s cotton growing districts have yielded more than 128,500 tons of raw cotton by October 2, which is more than 32% of the preliminary forecast. Tajik farming units are taking measures to gather cotton on time.

Cotton growers of the southern Khatlon province have yielded more than 98,100 tons for raw cotton by October 2. The Sughd cotton growing districts have yielded more than 30,000 tons of raw cotton by October 2, and the cotton growing districts subordinate to the centre have yielded more than 1,400 tons of raw cotton by October 2.

More than 120,000 people are currently working in cotton fields and they now yield on average about 4,500 tons of raw cotton per day, the source added.

This year, Tajik farmers have planted cotton on nearly 180,000 hectares. Last year, Tajik cotton growers produced nearly 399,000 tons of raw cotton from 178,000 hectares.