Almond yield decreased by 31 percent in Daikundi this year

NEILI (Pajhwok): Local officials in central Daikundi say almond yield has declined by more than 30 percent this year. The dried fruit is one of the major agricultural products of Daikundi.

The officials say nearly 21,000 metric tons of almond have been harvested this year.

Hashim Behzad, director of horticulture promotion in Daikundi, told Pajhwok Afghan News this year’s almond yield was 20,769 metric tonnes, showing a 31 percent decrease compared to last year’s harvest.

He said last year farmers harvested about 29,936 metric tons of almonds and linked the low yield to this year to drought, cold weather, diseases and pests.

More than 20 types of almonds are produced in Daikundi and famous include Abdul-Wahidi, Sangaki, Starbayee, Kaghazi and Kafmal.

Behzad said some types of almond had a special reputation and was sold at a high price in the market.

He added the districts of Shahristan, Neili and Miramor were largest producers of almonds and their almonds were exported to Kabul, Ghazni and other neighbouring provinces.

He added almond tree was well adapted to the climate of Daikundi and was more resistant to water shortage then other plants, but the years-long drought had seriously affected the almonds.

Local officials said they were working to support farmers.

However, growers are complaining about the decrease in almond yields and demand the attention of the government to support them.

Mohammad Afgari, one of the farmers, said almond was his only source of income, but its yield decreased by almost a half compared to the past.

He added in some areas where water was available the almond yield was good this year, but in drought-hit areas many almond trees dried up.

“Almond trees resist drought, but the prolonged drought is taking a toll on them. If, God forbid, the drought continues for another year, almond trees will dry up."

Ali Mujahid, another resident of Daikundi, said most people's livelihood depended on agriculture, including almonds, but this year's drought had affected the almond harvest and people lost their income.

He added: “In the last few years, our people could not harvest wheat and other crops and the only hope was almonds that too got affected by the drought."

He urged the government to help them in cultivating almond substitutes.

sa/ma