Drought, past conflict hit hard our orchards: Sangin residents

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The residents of Sangin district in southern Helmand province say their orchards on hundreds of acres of land had dried up and perished due to the drought and past conflicts.

Local Agriculture officials said, they will soon conduct a thorough survey and grow new orchards.

Din Muhammad, a farmer in Sangin district, told Pajhwok Afghan News Agency that his orchards dried up due to the recent war and drought.

He complained Karez --- a local irrigation system --- dried up and the water level went down up to 200 metres.

Another resident Haji Noor Muhammad told to Pajhwok Afghan News:  “Hundred acres of orchard have dried up due to the recent wars.”

Agriculture Director Mawlawi Abdul Khaliq saani, confirmed the reports that many orchards had dried up due to the recent war and drought.

Senior Agriculture official Shah Muhammad khan said: “We have not done a thorough survey, but people are complaining that their orchards have dried up.

He added that the agriculture department plans to conduct a thorough survey and establish new orchards.

HZ/nh