Turkmenistan has kicked off its nationwide cotton harvest across all five regions (velayats), marking the start of the season for the country’s most vital — and symbolically rich — agricultural crop, traditionally dubbed “white gold.” According to official estimates cited by Turkmenportal.tm, the 2025 harvest aims to exceed 1.2 million tons of raw cotton, Turkmenportal.com reports.
Thousands of farmers, machine operators, and agricultural brigades are mobilized nationwide. In keeping with national tradition, respected village elders (“aksakals”) ceremonially picked the first cotton bolls, blessing the harvest and wishing field workers success. The campaign is coordinated by regional administrations (hakimliks) and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Harvesting is underway from the southern fields of Mary to the northern expanses of Dashoguz, with regional targets as follows:
- Mary Region — 359,000 tons (162,000 ha)
- Lebap Region — 320,000 tons (130,000 ha)
- Ahal Region — 280,000 tons (135,000 ha)
- Dashoguz Region — 275,000 tons (140,000 ha)
- Balkan Region — 16,000 tons (13,000 ha)
The campaign began in September 2025, timed to optimal agronomic conditions. The first transport convoys of harvested cotton have already arrived at state collection points, reports the government daily Neutral Turkmenistan.
Cotton remains a strategic pillar of Turkmenistan’s economy, serving multiple critical functions:
- Raw material for domestic textile mills
- Source of export revenue — increasingly via value-added products like yarn and fabric
- Employment for rural populations
- Driver of state-led agricultural modernization programs
This year, Turkmenistan is doubling down on mechanization and efficiency. Modern cotton harvesters — including models from John Deere and CLAAS — are deployed nationwide, enabling faster collection, reduced losses, and minimal reliance on mass manual labor. This shift aligns with international standards and ongoing efforts to enhance transparency in the sector.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
Sept. 11, 2025