Pomegranate yield decreases in drought-hit Farah this year

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok):  The Agriculture Department in western Farah province says this year’s pomegranate yield declined compared to last year due to drought.

Agriculture Director Maulvi Abdul Ghani Abid told Pajhwok Afghan News last year 7,896 hectares of land produced 142,128 metric tons of pomegranates, but this year’s harvests dropped to 138,722 metric tons.

He said pomegranate’s harvests decreased due to drought in the province. According to Abid, Farah pomegranates are consumed only in this province and are not exported to other provinces or countries.

Abid had discussed with government officials finding a suitable market for Farah pomegranates in the coming years.

On the other hand, farmers say this year’s harvests dropped, but the quality is good,.

Abdul Jabar, a famer of Barangtob village, told Pajhwok pomegranates had a good quality this year, but there were no buyers.

Jabar explained five kilos of pomegranate fetched only 50 to 60 afghanis in the province, which was not enough.

Pomegranates harvests decreased this year due to drought, Rahim, a farmer of Dor Abad village said. With the reconstruction of Bakhshabad dam, their problems will be solved.

Farmers asked the government to find market for agricultural products in foreign countries.

Meanwhile, in Farah the drought lingers on despite heavy rainfall in the country this year compared to previous years.

hz/ma