Turkmenia fulfils plan for grain harvesting

Turkmenistan has met its annual target for grain collection -- to date it has gathered more than 2.3 million tons. President Saparmurat Niyazov congratulated grain farmers on excellent performance and emphasised that Turkmenistan is in a position to provide itself with food grain.

Under a special programme drawn up in the republic, grain production in 2003 is to rise to 2.5 million tons and in 2005 to 3 million tons. If these plans are fulfilled, Turkmenistan is going to sell grain for export from 2005 on.

In the view of specialists from the republic's Ministry of Agriculture, annual growth of grain production is directly due to measures being taken by the state to support farmers. The state, for example, has introduced a 50 per cent payment of farmers' seed, fertiliser and technical service expenses. Besides, the use of land is not taxed.