Nangarhar produces 516 tons of peanut this year

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Farmers and traders in eastern Nangarhar province say peanut yield has increased this year compared to last year’s harvest, but they need proper market to sell the groundnut.

Local officials say peanut crop was planted on 240 hectares of land in different districts of Nangarhar province this year, producing 516 tons of peanut.

Nangarhar Agriculture and Livestock Department officials say farmers are being encouraged to grow peanut and similar other crops instead of poppy and they are trying to facilitate farmers in selling their products.

Agriculture and Livestock director Maulvi Abdul Sattar Mohammad said peanut was grown on 240 hectares of land in seven districts of the province this year and so far 516 tons of the groundnut had been collected, showing an increase over last year’s yeild

“Peanut planted in Khogyani, Pachiragam, Haska Mena, Hisarak, Chaparhar, Sherzad and Shinwari districts this year gave good harvest.”

Farmers and traders say they are happy that the yield of peanut has increased compared to the past and local market is also good, but they could earn a lot if foreign market is found for their produce.

Awal Khan, a farmer in Sherzad district, said cultivated half an acre of land with peanut and the harvest was good this year.

Khan, who had brought his harvest for sale to Jalalabad city, said it was bought at a cheap rate and added that farmers’ income could increase manifold if foreign market was found for their products.

He urged the government to provide improved quality seeds and other assistance to farmers and find foreign markets for their products.

Mohammad Naeem, a farmer in Sara Rud district, made similar demands and said Pakistani traders used to purchase Nangarhar peanut at a low price now and then send it back to Afghanistan at a higher price in off season.

Nangarhar Agriculture Department officials say peanut cultivation has increased in the province and its baking and processing has also improved. Many baking ovens have been built in Jalalabad city to provide employment to people.

Agriculture Director Maulvi Abdul Sattar Mohammad said currently peanut was processed in Jalalabad and sent to various provinces and exported to neighboring countries as well.

He said efforts through the ministries of agriculture and economy were underway to explore markets for  fresh and dried fruits of the country in foreign countries.

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