Nangarhar: Natural disasters take toll on olive yield

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The Canal Department in eastern Nangarhar province says the yield of olives has fallen unprecedentedly as a result of drought, natural disasters and other factors.

Last year, about 1,000 tonnes of olives were collected from forests but the harvest slumped to 100 tonnes this year, local officials say.

Syed Hamayun Gharibmal, spokesman for the Canal Department, told Pajhwok Afghan News the olive production had significantly decreased due to drought, natural disasters and other reasons.

He recalled about 1,087 tonnes of olives had been harvested last year. But the yield of olives nosedived to 100 tonnes this year.

About 122,000 litres of olive oil and 10 tonnes of pickle were produced last year, explained the official.

Eng. Syed Agha Miakhel, another official of the department, confirmed that natural disasters and drought had temped down the yield of olives this year.

“We tried to irrigate olive forests well, but warm winds affected the blossoms and the yield,” he added.

Safiullah, who purchases olive oil from the Canal Department, believed as a consequence of the yield slump this year, the price could jump.

However, Gharibmal assured the price would remain stable and no one would be allowed to take advantage of the situation.

aw/sa/mud