Improved wheat seed being distributed to Jawzjan growers

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): The distribution of improved wheat seed varieties to thousands of famers in northern Jawzjan province began on Tuesday.

But some growers complained of being handed contaminated seeds mixed with improved varieties. They asked the authorities to look into the issue.

Agriculture DirectorEng. Abdul Rasheed told Pajhwok Afghan News the wheat distribution process to 5,000 farmers had been initiated in the provincial capital and five districts.

Each farmer is given a bag of 50-kg wheat, costing 1,800 afghanis, only for 700 afs.“The wheat has high quality which could increase the yield many folds, if agricultural practices and irrigation norms are followed.”

But some farmers grumbled they had been given diseased seeds.“There is no need for the government to distribute infected seeds with smut that could put us in trouble,” remarked a resident of Shibi village, Barat Ali.

The company importing the wheat seeds should pay more attention to quality, he suggested. But the agriculture director insisted the seeds were absolutely free of any kind of disease.

But another grower, Nasruddin, said he had cultivated the seed last year. It had a high yield and an acre of land produced 1,400 kilograms to 1,750 kg of wheat, he added.

myn/mud