Khatlon reaches 39% of 2011 target

QURGHON TEPPA, September 17, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Cotton growers in the southern Khatlon province have yielded more than 100,000 tons of raw cotton by September 17, which is 39 percent of their target determined at 258,825 tons of raw cotton, according to the Khatlon agriculture directorate.

This year, Khatlon province has allocated 126,739 hectares of lands to cotton cultivation.

We will recall that Khatlon governor has ordered to raise wages of cotton-pickers.  Speaking at a meeting of regional administrators in Qurghon Teppa, Khatlon governor Ghaybullo Avzalov on September 12 ordered all investors and chairmen of cities and districts of the province to pay cotton-pickers 80 diram (0.80 somoni) per one kilogram of raw cotton.  The governor also ordered cotton ginneries to buy cotton from cotton producing farms at the rate of US$800.00 per one ton.  Meanwhile, some local experts say that heads of cotton-growing farms in Khatlon now pay cotton pickers only 30-60 diram per one kilogram of raw cotton.

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.  Tajikistan is reportedly the world’s fourth largest exporter of cotton, and there is strong demand on international markets for its high quality product.