HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Different fruits orchards, including fig, in western Herat province have been affected due to the severe cold in winter season and as a result fruit production has declined this season, an official said on Wednesday.
Acting Agriculture Director Mawlavi Mohammad Nasim told Pajhwok Afghan News due to last year’s severe cold fig yield has declined by up to 90 percent.
He said not only fig orchards but other fruits orchards such as grapes and pomegranates were also damaged by harsh cold weather.
Zinda Jan district in Herat province produced 90 percent of Herat figs, some fig were also exported to foreign countries.
He said drought also affected the agriculture sector but still the government though a proper plan provided the Salmma Dam water to the farmers.
This comes that the fig yield is considered to be the best source of income for the farmers but the last year’s severe cold damaged this year’s yield.
According to agriculture experts, fig tree could not sustain down from -9 degree but it has resistance in severe heat.
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