'Azerbaijan farmers losing interest in growing cotton'

08 Nov '13

2 min read

The cotton sowing area in Azerbaijan has been declining, as cotton growers are losing interest in cultivating the crop due to the fall in prices of cotton, said agricultural expert Nizami Garayev.

According to the expert, in 2007-2008 cotton prices began to fall worldwide which also impacted the prices of the crop in the country, and farmers started to abandon cotton in favor of other crops, reports Azerbaijani newspaper Echo.

The expert is of the view that cotton is an important cash crop for the country not only in terms of employment but also the development of the light industry, and the cultivation of the crop facilitates restoration of the agricultural land in the country.

In this regard, the agricultural expert urged Azerbaijani Government to develop necessary mechanisms for the revival of interest of the farmers in cotton.

Mr. Garayev said that it is necessary to search alternative markets for products of the farmers and provide them with the requirements to boost production of the crop as well as give them proper tools and equipments for cultivation.

According to the expert, the country’s cotton production has been severely affected due to the disinterest in growing cotton amongst farmers, as cotton production in Azerbaijan was 57,000 tons in 2012, whereas it was 66,400 tons in 2011.

In order to maintain the production of the crop in the country the Government needs to intervene and implement necessary measures, he added.

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