Country sees growth in cotton harvest

By Azernews

By Leman Mammadova

Cotton growing can give a serious impetus to the development of the light industry in the country. This plant has a special importance in the social and economic development of our country. The development of cotton growing is of particular importance for the permanent employment of the rural population, and the strengthening of the livestock breeding base.

In the new season, 193,892 tons of cotton was collected in Azerbaijan.  As of November 3, the average productivity in the fields equals to 14.6 centners.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, 108,631 tons of cotton was produced by MKT Production Commercial Company, 43,880 tons - by Azerpambig ASK LLC, 25,936 tons - by P-Agro LLC, 9,960 tons - by Agro-Az MMC and Goran Cotton LLC, 5,474 tons – by individuals.

So far, most cotton was harvested in Saatli (25,857 tons), Barda (20,472 tons) and Agjabadi (20,227 tons). Overall, cotton is planted in 22 regions of Azerbaijan in 2018.

The highest productivity was recorded in Samukh (21.77 ha), Barda (21.26 ha), Tartar (20.59 ha) and Agjabadi (20.34 ha). On November 3, the Barda region was the leader on the daily harvest - 351 tons. Next places were taken by Beylagan (349 tons), Saatli (336 tons), Bilasuvar (335 tons) Agjabadi (303 tons).

Compared with the previous year, this year, it was planted 2.7 times more-136,413 hectares. In 2018, it is assumed that 260,000 tons of cotton will be collected from the fields.

There is a rich tradition and great potential for the development of cotton growing in Azerbaijan. In early 1913, cotton was planted in over 100,000 hectares of land and 65,000 tons of crops were produced in Azerbaijan. Cotton was the main source of income in Shirvan, Mughan-Salyan and Mil-Karabakh. In the 1980s, cotton production in Azerbaijan decreased due to the low purchasing price of crude cotton in the world market, the high cost of the product, and the weak development of the domestic light industry.

Recently, Azerbaijan restored the glory of cotton growing, having increased the crop area of cotton by about three times.

Now, a comprehensive approach to this area is needed to achieve the revival of the industry. One of the important conditions for the competitiveness of cotton industry in the world market is the provision of manufacturers with better quality seeds.

Also, the production of cottonseed oil and fiberless cotton seeds will be launched in Ujar region of Azerbaijan aimed at strengthening the processing industry. Moreover, Azerbaijan has imported 100 cotton harvesters earlier.

In early 2017, the State Program for 2017-2022 was approved with an aim of strengthening measures directed at developing this sphere. The purpose of the State Program is to develop cotton growing, increase export potential in this sphere, ensure employment of the rural population and increase the production of cotton.

The new goal of the state is to bring the cotton production up to 500,000 tons by 2022 from the current 260,000 tons.