DUSHANBE, January 22, 2016, Asia-Plus – Tajik minister of agriculture has complained about warm winter.

In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Minister of Agriculture Mahmadtohir Zokirzoda noted on January 22 that warm winter may affect this year’s harvest.

“As a result of warm weather, the moisture that accumulated in soil during the autumn period can completely evaporate, while dry-farming lands do not contain enough moisture,” said the minister.  “If weather February is also warm, we will fail to have a good harvest this year.”

We will recall that Tajik President Emomali Rahmon last year warned of long and cold winter.  In his speech at Kulob State University, President Rahmon said last September that “there is possibility that the upcoming winter will be cold and long.”  He urged the population to store two years'' worth of food reserves in order to prepare for the upcoming harsh winter.