Panjsher’s cherry yield surges to 360MT this year

PARAKH (Pajhwok): The Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Department of central Panjsher province says this year’s cherry harvests have reached 360 metric tons in the province.

Agriculture Director Fazlullah Dewbandi told Pajhwok Afghan News cherry trees on about 342 hectares yielded 360 metric tons this year.

He said cherry forests existed in Rukha, Dara, Anaba and Parakh, the provincial capital.

Cherry’s harvests are exported to China, India and Pakistan, the director said.

According to Dewbandi, the reason for farmers' interest in planting cherry orchards is less effort and good yield.

Farmers are happy with cherry harvests this year and ask the government to import more foreign cherry trees with reasonable prices in spring.

Nasrat Mir, a Bazarak farmer explained: “Nearly 12 years ago we cultivated cherries on our lands and they earn us up to 350,000Afs annually, which is better than anything else”.

Enayatullah, another farmer in Rukha district, said since last few years, most farmers in the province had turned to planting cherries on their land.

Enayatullah asked the government to make more trees of this fruit available to farmers at a reasonable price in the spring season.

hz/ma