Turkmenistan plans to harvest 1.5 mn tons cotton this season

In Turkmenistan cotton is grown in 5 regions (velayats): Ahal, Mary, Lebap, Dashoguz and Balkan. The acreage under cotton crop is 545 000 ha that is harvested from the August through October. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, they plan to procure 1.5 million tons of raw cotton this season.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with the level of heads of regional administrations of the country to discuss the issue related to cotton harvest.

Focusing on the importance of meticulous preparation for cotton harvesting, the head of the state pointed to the need to take appropriate measures on the expansion of acreage and higher yields of land.

Some 55,000 tons of seeds have been planted in Turkmenistan during April which is the sowing season. The basis for future harvest will be more than 10 varieties of cotton, which distinguish with good germination, early ripening and high quality.

Medium staple cotton of the class “upland” is grown in all the velayats across the country; extra long staple cotton of the class “Pima” is grown in Ahal and Mary velayats.

Turkmenistan cotton growers have collected 1.5 million tons of cotton last year. The processing of raw product cultivated in 2013 have been completed in 36 processing factory of the country in late 2014.