Diseases, climate impact hit-hard Baghlan melon yield

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Melon yield has reduced in northern Baghlan province as a result of rainfall at unexpected time and diseases, according to farmers on Sunday.

They stressed government should explore a decent market for melon yield so that farmers did not face financial loss.

Mohammad Dawod, a farmer from the Gharo Shakh area of Dand-i-Ghori, said he cultivated melon on 2.5 acres of land but the yield it produced was low compared to the past year.

“This year snow did not arrive at a proper time to freeze the land and prepare it for cultivation. Another reason was fly that hunts melon and destroyed the fruit,” he said.

He said there was also the lack of businessmen this year to buy the yield on the field from them, this year farmer has to collect their yield and send them to Kabul.

Abdul Wali, another farmer of melon, said he spent a lot on the crop but the yield is low compared to the past year.

“Last year we loaded a large truck from a half acre of land but this year we loaded the same truck from one or more than one acre of crop,” he said.

Wali was disappointed and said this year they would not be able to earn the amount they spent on the crop.

Agriculture Development Head of Baghlan Mawlavi Shah Wali Numani said he was fully aware of the problem faced by the melon farmers and said the department advised the farmers.

He said unexpected rainfall and heat in some areas left a negative impact on the melon crop.

He said Agriculture Department strived to explore the market for the products of farmers.

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