DUSHANBE, May 4, Asia-Plus -- Speaking to journalists after the meeting of the Consultative Group of Donors (Tajikistan Development Forum) on June 2, Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov said that the main thing is to interest farmers in cultivation of cotton.

“But an exact amount of cotton farmers’ debts has not yet been defined precisely,” said Oqilov, “Therefore, firstly, it is necessary to conduct an independent audit of farming units in order to define exact amount of debts and debt interest rates.” 

He said the government had projected a roadmap, which provides for preventing unfounded interference of state in activities of farmers.  “Farmers should not be ordered what agricultural crops to cultivate,” said the prime minister, “It should be of their choosing what agricultural crop is preferential to grow.” 

On the other hand, there ought to take into consideration the country’s specific character and the chosen crop should be preferential for the country as well, Oqilov said.  He noted that there are cotton-growing farms that work without investors and have profit.  “In other words, the problem must be resolved in a fashion that does not impact farmers and makes cotton growing preferential,” said the prime minister, “The whole volume of the cotton Tajikistan produces should be processed in Tajikistan itself and it is necessary to develop light industry.” 

This may tackle to a certain extent the employment problem and labor migration, according to Oqilov.