Logar apricot yield up by 30pc this year

PUL-I-ALAM CITY (Pajhwok): Farmers in central Logar province harvested 275 tons of apricot from their orchards this year, showing a 30 percent increase over last year’s yield, an official said Sunday.

Agriculture and Livestock director Mohammad Rafi Ibrahimi told Pajhwok Afghan News last year 212 tons of apricots was produced in the province.

He linked the increased yield to awareness provided to farmers about the gardening, lack of natural disasters and pest attacks.

Apricot orchards are grown mostly in Pul-i-Alam city and in Charkh, Mohammad Agha, Baraki Barak and Khushi districts.

The farmers are satisfied with the harvest but complain about lack of buyers and low prices.

Mohammad Omar, a farmer from Pul-i-Alam city, told Pajhwok the apricot harvest this year was good compared to last year’s, but the market was not so good as they sold a bag of seven kilograms of fruit for 80 to 150 afs.

He urged the ministries of agriculture and commerce to find good domestic or international market for their produce.

Zafar Khan, a resident of Dabar area in Charkh district; urged the department of agriculture and livestock to provide farmers with more awareness about raising orchards, preserving their products and helping to find market.

The majority of Logar residents are engaged in agriculture and livestock to support their families.

aw/ma

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