OREANDA-NEWS. September 5, 2011.  Cotton growers in Dashoguz Velayat started the cotton picking campaign on August 31 according to the schedule approved by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

As is known, the cotton picking and winter wheat sowing campaigns are the important agenda items of the government meetings and video conferences conducted by the Turkmen leader with velayat khyakims and high-ranking officials. During the recent government meeting the President has held this week he underscored once again the need to accelerate the pace of the ‘white gold’ campaign that was a very important time for agricultural workers.

Cotton growers are planning to pick 230,000 tons of ‘white gold’ on the 140,000-hectare area. Farmers in Dashoguz Velayat cultivate the middle staple varieties such as Dashoguz-120, Dashoguz-114, 149F, P-4727 and Serdar which are adapted well to the soil and climate conditions of the region.

Dashoguz cotton growers are planning to conduct the cotton picking campaign in a proper and timely manner. They use John Deer and Case cotton combines and trucks and trailers to deliver cotton to the receiving points. Ginneries and receiving points operate round the clock. The quality of raw cotton delivered to the receiving points and ginners is tested at the laboratories in presence of specialists of the Turkmenstandartlary State Service.

The accounts with cotton producers are settled at the local branches of the Dayhanbank State Commercial Bank.

Following the tradition, the ‘white caravan’ at the ginnery in Saparmurat Niyazov Etrap gave the start to the cotton picking campaign in Dashoguz Velayat. Officials of of the velayat and etrap administrations, subdivisions of the Turkmenpagta State Concern and the Turkmenhimiya State Concern, the Turkmenobahyzmat Association, the Turkmenstandartlary State Service, the Dayhanbank State Commercial Bank, farmers associations, representatives of the public organisations of the Galkynys National Movement and research institutes, the elders, agricultural workers of the industry, agricultural scientists, agronomists, combine operators, drivers and cotton growers took part in the ceremony.

The elders offered up the prayers for the wellbeing and prosperity of our Motherland and the Turkmen people and blessed the start of the cotton picking campaign. B Following the tradition, vehicles and tractors with trailers loaded to the top with the first tones of Dashoguz ‘white gold’ and decorated with the national flags, carpets and banners headed for the receiving points.

The exposition of agricultural and cotton products, agricultural equipment and machines was arranged to mark the remarkable event – the launch of the cotton picking campaign. Local artists, singers, dance and folk groups of the northern region performed a concert. The competitions in the national sports aroused keen interest of the guests and participants of the festivities. The ceremony of awarding valuable presents to best cotton growers was arranged during the celebrations.