Gur production up in Nangarhar, but Pakistani variety affects market

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Agriculture and Livestock Department officials in eastern Nangarhar province say 8000 tons of gur (brown sugar) will be produced from this year’s sugarcane harvest weighing about 75000 tons.

Sugarcane is grown in Behsud, Sararud, Kama, Koz Kunar and Batikot districts besides other crops. The cultivation of the cash crop has been increasing each year.

Najibullah, owner of a gur ghani (raw sugar factory) in Kama district, told Pajhwok Afghan News they produced 100 mann (700 kilograms) of gur in 24 hours and at least 30 people worked in the traditional factory.

He said the yield and production of sugarcane and gur had increased in Nangarhar compared to the past, but their market was affected by poor quality of Pakistani gur.

“The government should ban the import of gur because the gur produced in Afghanistan is enough to meet domestic need. We wait for the entire year to harvest sugarcane and produce gur, but the poor quality Pakistani gur has badly affected our business”.

Sayed Ahmad, a worker in the gur factory, said he was happy to have found work in inside the country. I have been jobless for a few months, if the market improves, we will also benefit more.”

Nangarhar agriculture and livestock director Nimatullah Akbari told Pajhwok Afghan News the sugarcane yield increased by about 17,000 tons in the province compared to last year’s yield.

“Last year, sugarcane was grown on 1,260 hectares of land in Nangarhar, which produced 57,330 tons of sugarcane and this year, sugarcane was grown on 1,650 hectares, the yield is estimated to reach ore than 75,000 tons.”

Akbar said there were about 70 gur factories in Nangarhar, where hundreds of people worked. He said 110 kilograms of gur was produced from each ton of sugarcane. Considering the sugarcane harvest, about 8000 tons of gur will be produced in the province this year.

His department was making efforts to pave the way for export of local agriculture products to foreign countries.

Agricultural experts say eastern provinces including Nangarhar have suitable weather and land for sugarcane cultivation.

Atiqullah Obaidiani, professor of the Faculty of Agriculture at Nangarhar University, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Nangarhar farmers were historically familiar with sugarcane cultivation and the government should help them produce good sugarcane.

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