US farm machinery to boost Turkmenistan cotton output

26 Jul '12

2 min read

In order to improve the efficiency of cotton producers in the country, Turkmenistan is planning to purchase farm machinery from those US manufacturers, whose machineries would be the most suitable for climatic and soil conditions of the country.

Turkmenobahyzmat, the Turkmenistan Government organization, is close to finalizing a deal with American brand John Deere and Case for procurement of spare parts, lubricants, wheels and other consumable resources.

President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has issued orders for purchase of farm equipment from the US companies to further boost the efficiency of cotton farmers, ensure smooth operations and enhance cotton production for the cotton harvest season of 2012.

Turkmenistan has been traditionally purchasing agricultural machinery from Belarus, Germany and the US. However, President Berdymuhamedov has now ordered purchases only from those manufacturers whose machineries best match the soil and climatic conditions of the country.

In anticipation of the cotton harvest, which usually runs from August to October, prophylactic measures are currently being taken at 36 ginning units and 159 points. Last year, cotton was also harvested in November.

Cotton plantation began a month ago in Turkmenistan and the country intends to reap 1.109 million tons of raw cotton from 550,000 hectares, on which the crop is sown, during the new season.

Around 7,000 tractors, 5,000 cotton cultivators, 2,200 sowing machines and other machinery, mainly procured from the US and Belarus, are being used during the current season.

During last season, Turkmenistan produced around 1.1 million tons of raw cotton, mainly from Mary, Balkan, Akhal, Lebap and Dashoguz provinces.

The country traditionally exports raw cotton to Russia, Iran, South Korea, Britain, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Ukraine, Singapore and the Baltic nations.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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