KHUJAND, March 17, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- This year, areas under potatoes in Panjakent (Sughd province) have been increased 4.5 times as compared to 2011, Panjakent deputy mayor Bobojon Domulloyev told Asia-Plus in an interview.

“Last year, 450 hectares were allocated to potato cultivation in the district,” Domulloyev noted.

According to him, 2,000 hectares will be allocated to potato cultivation in the area until 2014. 

Despite unfavorable weather conditions, 321 tons of seed potatoes have been delivered to Panjakent from the Ghonchi district.  In all, 3,300 tons of seed potatoes will be stocked for this year’s potato-sowing campaign.

Specialists expect all categories of farms and residents of Panjakent to produce some 60,000 tons of potatoes this year, Domulloyev said.