In Turkmenistan, agriculture is a key sector not only in terms of ensuring food independence and security, but also as a resource of raw materials for the food, textile, carpet, leather, footwear and medical industries, an economic observer for Turkmenistan Valentin Trapeznikov said in his interview with CentralAsia.news.
The expert noted that its high share in the economic structure illustrates the importance of the sector. For example, in the past 4 years, its share stood at 10.0-11.8% of Turkmenistan’s GDP. This is the second indicator after the industry among the goods-producing sectors. In the first 8 months of 2024, the agricultural sector generated 10,9% of GDP and a 5% rise in the gross value added.
Trapeznikov noted that Turkmenistan’s agricultural sector showed good indicators during the above-mentioned period. Grain growers fulfilled their contractual obligations on food grains production and delivered over 1.4 million tonnes of wheat to the granaries throughout the country. Agricultural workers harvested over 2,100 tonnes cocoons. Farmers in Dashoguz and Lebap regions grew a rich harvest of rice, and rice harvest is nearing completion.
The specialist added that agricultural workers are currently harvesting barley and legumes — mung bean and beans, oilseeds — sesame, sunflower, olives, soybeans, safflower and rapeseed. Turkmen agricultural workers started harvesting cotton on September 11. Along with the above-mentioned crops, the country boosts the cultivation of vegetables, potatoes, melons, watermelons, gourds, grapes, fruits and berries.
«It should be noted that potato growers in Lebap region fulfilled the annual potato production plan, and potato harvest in Dashoguz is nearing completion. Agricultural workers in the regions are currently planting autumn potatoes, autumn onions and winter garlic. The rapid rise of greenhouse farming in Turkmenistan should be noted. Today, modern greenhouses are put into operation in nearly all the regions of the country, and the private sector is increasingly active in this sphere. Greenhouses are stuffed with modern equipment from the world’s manufacturers and have the effective heating, humidification and irrigation systems,» the observer specified.
Valentin Trapeznikov emphasised that Turkmenistan’s agricultural sector has showed high indicators in 2024. In January-August, Turkmenistan produced 977,500 tonnes of vegetables, 516,008 tonnes of melons, 617,000 tonnes of potatoes, 167,800 tonnes of fruits and berries and 151,500 tonnes of grapes, which is higher by 11,4%, 17,3%, 5,2%, 1,2% and 2,5% respectively compared to the same period of 2023.
«Turkmenistan fosters the science-based development of the agricultural sector, including selective breeding and seed production, through promoting international cooperation as well. In September, Ashgabat hosted the regular CIS High-Level Meeting of the Intergovernmental Coordination Council on Seed Production (CIS ICSP). It provided a platform for meetings and an exchange of views on seed production and selective breeding. Cooperation with this organisation is very fruitful and opens up broad opportunities to implement advanced practices in this sphere. CIS ICSP Deputy Chairman, Doctor of Sciences, Academician Ivan Ivanovich Kuzmin, who received the title of Hero of Turkmenistan on September 24, 2024 by the Decree of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is making a huge contribution to this work,» the expert said.
The observer added that the capital city hosted the Milestones and Tasks in Agricultural Seed Production International Science Conference and an exhibition of Turkmenistan’s agricultural achievements that featured the best medium-fibre and fine-fibre cotton varieties and the new winter wheat varieties «Serdar», «Arkadag» and «Pyragy» that are the result of many years of work by domestic breeders. The country actively cooperates in the agricultural sector with many organisations, including FAO, EU, OSCE and ADB.
Along with crop farming, Turkmenistan’s livestock sector is rapidly developing, Trapeznikov noted. As of September 1, 2024, the number of cattle, small cattle, camels and poultry in all farms in the country exceeds that a year ago. In the first 8 months of 2024, the production of the main livestock products increased. For example, the production of meat, milk and eggs increased by 7,5%, 3,1% and 2,8%, respectively, compared to 2023.
The expert noted that progress in the development of the agro-industrial sector significantly enhances its export potential. For example, in the first 7 months of 2024, watermelon exports increased ninefold compared to 2023. During this period, melon exports rose over 1.4 times compared to 2023. Vegetable exports, particularly tomato exports, are increasing. In the first 8 months of 2024, tomato exports increased by over 18%. The upward trend in tomato exports has been observed for several years now. Turkmenistan is increasing exports of wool (by 1.7 times), raw leather (over 1.2 times) and canned vegetables and fruits and expanding the geography of agricultural exports. Currently, it includes Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
«On October 14, the President heard the report from the heads of regional administration on completed and upcoming agricultural activities. In general, it can be said that the state agricultural policy and support for entrepreneurship contributes to the dynamic development of the industry and the improvement of economic indicators,» Valentin Trapeznikov concluded.
