Nov 22, 2010 (BBC Monitoring via COMTEX) -- A record harvest of raw cotton, 1.3m tonnes, has been harvested in Turkmenistan this year for the first time in many years. This amount significantly exceeds the demand of the country's industrial facilities.

From now on Turkmen farmers who meet their procurement commitments before the state will have an opportunity to sell the surplus cotton independently, via the state stock exchange.

The state order for cotton will be drawn up depending on actual need for raw cotton necessary to the operation of the country's textile facilities.

Turkmenistan.ru correspondent reports from Asgabat that relevant order on making necessary calculations and drawing up documents to this effect was issued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow at a government meeting on 20 November.

"It is necessary to create all conditions so that farmers could sell their cotton via stock exchange without any obstacle," the president said.