Wheat seed being distributed to farmers

KHOST CITY/GHAZNI CITY (PAN): The distribution of improved varieties of wheat seed began in southeastern Khost and southern Ghazni provinces was started on Saturday, officials said.

The seed is being sold to farmers on a 70 percent discount in 18 districts, including the provincial capital Ghazni City, Agriculture Director Sultan Hussain Abbasyar told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The new seed variety is resistance to diseases and has good yield, he said, hoping the growers would have a bumper wheat crop next year.

The process was also initiated in the Khost province, according to Governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi, who recalled 202 tonnes of seed had been purchased last year by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) at a cost of 7.8 million afghanis.

He said the seed was sown in northern Balkh province on a trial basis and the yield had been very good. Based on that experiment, the seed was being sold to farmers, the governor continued.

myn/mud