DUSHANBE, July 21, Asia-Plus — Over the first half of 2007, gross agricultural product from all categories of farms has been 947.5 million somonis, including crop growing products – 425.1 million somonis and animal husbandry – 522.4 million somonis, and increased by 6.5 percent compared to the same period of last year, Agriculture Minister Abdurahmon Qodiri announced at news conference in Dushanbe on July 20.  

According to him, over the report period, farming units have produced more than 230,000 of wheat, 85,000 tons of potatoes, 116,000 tons of vegetables, 12,000 tons of fruits, 42,000 tons of meat, etc.  

In January-June, Tajikistan doubled agricultural product exports, supplying more than 43,000 tons of vegetables, 90,000 tons of potatoes, 2,465 tons of fruits and 35,728 tons of dried fruits to other countries, the minister said.        

Asked about rising prices of meat in Dushanbe, the minister noted that the price hike has resulted from the rising cost of gasoline.  “60 percent of meat and meat products are delivered to the country’s markets from other countries, you know,” Qodiri said.