SHARAN (Pajhwok): Wheat yield has declined in southeaster Paktika province this year, residents said on Friday, voicing concerns at a possible shortage of the staple crop.
A resident of Sharan, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the wheat yield had been lower despite abundant water availability this year.
Mohammad Ismail said: “Timely rains provided enough irrigation water that strengthened the crop, but the yield has surprising dropped.”He linked the reduction to hostile wind and hailstorms.
Another grower from Matakhan district, Zabihullah, said he would have a wheat yield of up to 428 kilograms from his farms in previous years. But this year, the production fell by more than a half.
He urged the departments concerned and donor organisations to assist Paktika farmers with improved seeds and chemical fertilisers.
Farmer Rahimullah Khan complained the government had extended them no assistance over the past two years. Timely provision of improved seeds and fertilisers would have helped them, he believed.
Acting Agriculture Director Sohbat Khan confirmed the fall in wheat production, promising distribution of improved seeds to framers next year.
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