Nangarhar records increase in watermelon yield

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The watermelon yield surged in eastern Nangarhar province this year, creating work for thousands of jobless people, officials say.

Every year around 7,500 acres of land is cultivated with watermelon in Batikot, Lalpura, Koshta and Kama districts, with this year’s harvest reaching 100 thousands of tones.

The watermelon yield saw an increase in Batikot district where a small bazaar for the fruit has been set up on the Jalalabad-Torkham highway.

Local people say they got work opportunities in cultivating and as well harvesting the fruit this season.

Agriculture director Rafiullah Rahimzai told Pajhwok Afghan News that a 10 per cent increase had been estimated in the watermelon yield this time compared to last year’s harvest.

He said besides Batikot district people in many others districts cultivated watermelon.

A watermelon sealer in Batikot district was happy with the watermelon’s market this year, saying passengers used to stop and purchase the fruit a lot.

Nimatullah, another watermelon seller, told Pajhwok that the watermelon market had become a good source of income.

pk/ma

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