OREANDA-NEWS. September 04, 2009. The first tons of the 2009 cotton harvest are delivered to the receiving points of the Ak Altyn State Cotton Trading Enterprise. The caravans of trucks and tractors with trailers loaded with ‘white gold’ are heading for the receiving points in Mary, Tejen, Serdar and Serdarabat Etrap. By tradition cotton-growers in Ahal, Balkan, Lebap and Mary Velayats were the first to start the 2009 cotton picking On September 9 the receiving points in the northern region of the country – Dashoguz Velayat will be opened.

'White caravans’ – a good tradition of Turkmen cotton-growers that symbolizes the beginning of the large-scale harvesting campaign is maintained in the epoch of Great Revival.

In Turkmenistan paramount importance is attached to increasing of production of cotton – a strategic agricultural crop. To achieve the goals of the large-scale agricultural reforms initiated by the President of Turkmenistan the strategy of further development of the agro-industry sector including technology modernization and adoption of advance management methods was developed. Special emphasis is put on improvement of farming standards, land reclamation and crop rotation, application of latest technologies and scientific advances in industry.

This season 600 cotton harvesters of the Turkmenobahyzmat Association will be engaged in the 2009 picking campaign. The preference is given to the world-known machinery producers – John Deer and Case (USA). Over 3,300 MAZ trucks, 3,100 MTZ-82.1 tillage tractors and 15,000 trolleys will deliver about 32,000 tons of cotton to the receiving points a day. Maintenance services of the machines and mechanism will be ensured round-the-clock. The favourable conditions were created for productive labour and recreation of machine operators, drivers and cotton pickers.

According to the Turkmenpagta State Concern cotton will be delivered to 150 receiving points and will be processed at 35 ginneries of the State Concern. The Turkmenstandartlary specialists will test the quality at the laboratories of the receiving points.

Raw cotton will be accepted in presence of the representatives of the Ak Altyn State Cotton Trading Enterprise and cotton-growers. The specialists of the state enterprise will define the physical and net weight of cotton.

Ak Altyn provides credits to ensure the timely settlement of accounts for cotton delivered. Payments are made in manats and the foreign currency within five days.

In Turkmenistan the areas were sown mostly with the Turkmen cotton varieties that proved their effectiveness in the local soil and climatic conditions. These included the middle staple cotton varieties - Yoloten-7 and Dashoguz-120, Serdar, AS-36, 2601, 133, the fine staple cotton varieties - 9946-Ё and 9938-Ё. The fields are being prepared for defoliation. Tractors and civil aircrafts will be engaged in defoliation.

During these days the agricultural exhibitions are arranged at the receiving points. Turkmen artists, singers and artistic groups from the regions prepared their presents for agricultural workers. The best cotton-growers received the valuable presents.