<p>LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): More than 100,000 fruit orchards are being grown on 2,000 acres of land in southern Helmand province, announced the governor on Thursday.</p>
<p>Governor Mohammad Yasin Khan told a gathering here that enough preparations were in place this year for the province’s development.</p>
<p>He said, “I ask all Helmand residents to plant one tree for yourself and one for the country and take care of them.”</p>
<p>According to him, 12,000 seedlings have been provided by the <a href="/en/agriculture" class="glossify-link">agriculture</a> department and 9,000 more by the private sector for spring plantation.</p>
<p>ZalmayAlako, Helmand agriculture director, told Pajhwok Afghan News they planned to establish 120,000 fruit orchards across the province this year.</p>
<p>He said they also planned to create gardens in five districts over 2000 acres of land this year.</p>
<p>He said cost for 75 gardens would be paid by his department and the rest by growers.</p>
<p>Gul Jan, a farmer, said he had prepared his land for growing a fruit orchard this year.</p>
<p>pk/ma</p>
