Why is cotton grown in the Fergana Valley?

Cotton is grown in the Fergana Valley primarily because the region's geography and infrastructure are highly conducive to large-scale agriculture. The valley floor is composed of fertile deposits brought down from the surrounding mountains, and numerous rivers descending from these ranges provide the necessary water for irrigation.1

While the climate is continental with low precipitation, the development of extensive irrigation canals—such as the Great, Southern, and Northern Fergana canals—has allowed for the successful cultivation of cotton in this area. In Kyrgyzstan, these irrigation systems have been instrumental in increasing agricultural output, making the Fergana Valley the country's primary source for cotton production.12