LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Sixty-five percent orchards in southern Helmand province have been dried up due to past conflict and drought, an official said on Monday.
Eng. Abdul Manan Amiri, a senior official of the Agriculture Department, told Pajhwok Afghan News their survey showed that as a result of past conflict and drought 65 percent orchards in the northern part of the province dried up.
He said Weather in Helmand province was suitable for the cultivation of grapes, pomegranates, almond and some other specific fruits.
Eng. Farid Nasari, deputy head of a research form in Lashkargha’s Bolan area, said they planned to help the owners of eliminated orchards in the re-plantation of orchards.
He added at the movement the rehabilitation work on orchards that destroyed during past wars in Nawa, Gerashk and Garamseer districts had been launched.
He added the Agriculture Department with the support of Root of Peace Organiation had launched the re-plantation of destroyed orchards in Narhr-i-Saraj, Nad Ali and Garamseer districts.
He said the Agriculture Department provided saplings and necessary equipment to farmers whose orchards destroyed during past conflict or due to drought.
Some farmers in Helmand also resumed the rehabilitation of their destroyed orchards in Helmand.
Mohammad Rahim, the resident of Nawzad district who had a grapes orchard which was destroyed in the past war had now went to Lashkargha to buy grapes sapling.
“Most orchards in our area destroyed due to past war and drought,” he said.
He said not he had started efforts to grow a new orchards and for this purpose he went to Lashkargha to buy new saplings.
Mohammad Tahir, the resident of Musa Kala district, said during the past war different fruit orchards eliminated and now he was going to Lashkargha to buy new saplings.
“Eighty percent orchards in our district had dried up and people seek government support for its revival,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention that past war inflicted financial losses on people besides human losses and its rehabilitation will take much time.
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