Tajikistan plans to harvest more than 393,000 metric tons of cotton this year, up from the 390,000-ton target set for 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Cotton growing is one of the key sectors of Tajikistan’s agricultural and industrial economy and is considered a strategic sector, with more than 300 types of products manufactured through cotton processing.

At a Jan. 17, 2025, government plenary session, President Emomali Rahmon described cotton growing as a major source of raw materials for the light industry and employment, and instructed officials to take measures to further develop the sector.

According to economic estimates, one metric ton of cotton yields an average of 300 to 350 kilograms of fiber and 560 to 580 kilograms of seeds, depending on the variety. The fiber can be used to produce about 350 to 400 square meters of fabric, while cotton seeds can yield approximately 270 kilograms of oil and 170 kilograms of cottonseed husk residue. Cotton grown in Tajikistan has a fiber yield of 34% to 40%.

The 2026 cotton planting target was set at 186,800 hectares.

Cotton production supplies raw materials to the country’s industrial sector while supporting employment and the production of finished goods. Farmers are seeking to increase production, boost economic returns and contribute to higher living standards.