An important agricultural campaign, the cotton sowing, has started in the country. According to the schedule approved at the Cabinet of Ministers meeting held on March 15, cotton growers of Ahal, Balkan, Lebap and Mary velayats started sowing on March 20. Farmers of Dashoguz velayat will join them on March 27.

According to the established tradition, the start of sowing was blessed by honorable elders. After praying to the Almighty for the well-being and prosperity of the Motherland, the Turkmen people and the country's leader, they planted the first cotton seeds in the ground and then made way for mechanization.

Cotton production is a significant sector of the agricultural complex, making a substantial contribution to the implementation of the state programs in the field of import substitution and increasing the export potential of the economy.

The main directions of agricultural development include technical re-equipment, active implementation of advanced scientific developments and innovative technologies, stimulation of agricultural producers.

It should be noted that measures are being taken in the agro-industrial complex to increase crop yields, develop animal husbandry, and increase the number of livestock and poultry. Indications in this regard are the reorganization of the Ministry of Agriculture and the establishment of the State Association "Türkmengallaönümleri", the State Association of the Food Industry, the State Association of Livestock and Poultry Industry, the State Concern "Türkmenpagta", and the State Association "Türkmenobahyzmat".

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a Decree on increasing the state procurement prices for Ak Bugday and "white gold" in order to successfully solve the tasks outlined in the "Program of the President of Turkmenistan for the socio-economic development of the country in 2022-2028" on the cultivation of abundant wheat and cotton crops and the economic stimulation of agricultural producers.

Due to large-scale reforms, the efficiency of the agricultural complex is growing, and issues of engineering and technical support are being addressed on an innovative basis. The latest modified equipment adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of Turkmenistan is being procured.

Significant financial resources are allocated for irrigation and reclamation of agricultural land, the development of agronomy, including seed production and breeding. The cotton ginning industry has been modernized, and modern processing plants have been built in the regions.

Concrete measures are being taken to digitize agriculture, implement precision farming methods, advanced agricultural technologies, and improve the profitability of daikhan associations and leasing relationships.

Private agricultural producers who have received plots from a special land fund for agricultural purposes actively participate in cotton cultivation.

High-quality cotton seeds, medium staple varieties of which are traditionally cultivated in all regions of the country, have been prepared for sowing. Among them, preference is given to varieties such as "Ýolöten-7", "Ýolöten-39", "Jeýhun", "S-2606", "Daşoguz-120", "Daşoguz-114", "Gubadag-3", "149-F", which are characterized by early maturity, high yield, length and purity of fiber. Based on soil and climatic conditions, the sowing of fine-fiber cotton varieties, such as "Ýolöten-14", is carried out in Ahal and Mary velayats.

The current campaign involves tractors of various brands, including those equipped with telematics digital electronic systems, purchased from the world's leading agricultural machinery manufacturer - John Deere, as well as seeders, cotton cultivators, and other agricultural units that ensure uninterrupted sowing and subsequent agronomic activities.

The necessary conditions have been created on-site for round-the-clock servicing of machinery, work and full rest for mechanics and other participants in the sowing process.

Biolaboratories operating in the etraps and daikhan associations are being prepared for the new agricultural season. They will provide farmers with environmentally friendly and economically beneficial bio-products used against cotton pests.

In anticipation of the sowing season, seminars were held in various daikhan associations of the country, addressing the current tasks of further modernization of rural areas. The goal is to ensure dynamic development and high profitability of the agro-industrial complex, as well as increase agricultural production.

In particular, the focus was on the organized and timely sowing of cotton, strict adherence to agrotechnical norms at all stages of its cultivation, increasing crop yields, improving the reclamation condition of agricultural land, rational use of land and water resources, and plant protection from pests and weeds.

During their speeches, the participants expressed deep gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his support of agricultural development and his active concern for improving the working and living conditions of farmers in the country. They assured that they would make every effort, knowledge and experience for the successful implementation of reforms in the agro-industrial complex.

Exhibitions of agricultural machinery and products of processing enterprises were organized as part of the celebrations to mark the beginning of the sowing campaign. Musical, folklore and choreographic groups of the velayats prepared creative gifts for the cotton growers.