Dried apricot production in Zabul surges by 13pc

QALAT (Pajhwok): The Agriculture and Livestock Department says that 7,000 tonnes of shakarpara -- dried apricots -- have been produced this year in southern Zabul province, showing a 13 percent surge.

Agriculture Director Maulvi Attaullah Rashid said apricot orchards were spread on 2,600 hectares of land in Zabul, producing 7,000 tonnes of fruit.

Last year’s yield was 6.5 tonnes, recalled the director, who estimated the 2022 increase at 500 tonnes.

He termed warm weather in spring and the establishment of more orchards the main reasons behind the rise in the shakarpara yield.

Haji Mohammad Hassan, a fruit merchant, hailed Zabul’s dried apricots as a famous fruit. He confirmed the yield and price of shakarpara had gone up this year.

He said the fruit was mostly exported to Pakistan, India and Tajikistan. It has also a good market in Kandahar, Ghazni and Kabul.

Mohammad Naeem, an orchard owner from the Dai Chopan area of Zabul, urged NGOs to support people in harvesting and drying of this fruit.

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