Paktia apple yield up, farmers seek cold storage facilities

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Some farmers and traders in southeastern Paktia province say the yield of apples has increased this year.

But they complain about the lack of markets and a shortage of cold storage facilities for their fruits.

The Agriculture and Livestock Department says the apple yield in Paktia has jumped up by 12 percent to 33,000 metric tonnes this year.

On the other hand, orchard owners and fruit merchants asked the government to find a suitable market for their produce.

Saifullah, an orchard owner, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “The apple yield has been rising, but we want the government to build more cold storage facilities to preserve our products.”

Saifullah acknowledge the creation of cold stores in some districts. However, he added, their capacity was not enough to store all their produce.

Noorullah, an apple merchant, recalled: “Per seven kilograms of apple sold for 220 Afs last year, but the price has now slumped to 60-90 afs.”

He linked the rate fall to higher apple yield and export-related difficulties.

Hasibullah Gardezi, the chambers of commerce head, said all apples were previously exported to Pakistan.

But the neighbouring country has now hiked tariffs to Rs62,000 per metric tonne of apples. He asked the authorities to look for other alternative markets.

Meanwhile, agriculture officials assure farmers and traders of finding a gainful market for locally0produced fruits.

Momand Kharoti, a senior official at the Agriculture Department, said: “Annually, dozens of cold stores are built in Paktia. As the fruit yield goes up, the cold stores do not have enough capacity.”

Some of cold storage facilities have been built in areas where farmers cannot use them.  Their control should be transferred to others who could properly use the facilities, Kharoti suggested.

He claimed having talked to some organisations to help them construct more cold stores in the province. He hoped more cold stores would be set up.

Since Paktia is mountainous province with limited farmlands, its residents have turned to setting up fruit orchards over the past decade.

aw/mud