Khost: Persimmon orchards set up on 195 acres this year

KHOST (Pajhwok): Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department officials say persimmon harvest is estimated to surpass 800 tons in the province this year, when more orchards were established on 195 acres of land.

They add persimmon orchards in the province give good result and they plan to establish more orchards using a new and modern technique.

On the other hand, persimmon orchards’ owners claim fruits imported from Pakistan had a negative impact on the market of local fruits, especially persimmons.

They say local fruits are currently being sold at a throwaway price, which does not benefit them.

Sadiq, an orchardist, told Pajhwok if Pakistani fruits were banned from being imported, it would help improve market for local fruits.

“If heavy taxes are imposed on fruits from Pakistan, traders will not bring them and this move will increase our profits. Currently, Pakistani fruits are sold for around 150 afghanis per 7kg because they are bought there at a low price. If taxes are imposed on them, the price of domestic products will double.”

These gardeners also urged the people to buy domestic fruits instead of Pakistani fruits for being cheaper and of better quality.

Another gardener, Juma Gul, told Pajhwok that if the government assisted them in terms of chemical fertilizers and medicines, Khost province would become self-sufficient in fruits production.

He said locally produced fruits were of good quality, but their prices were low and imported fruits were sold at a higher price.

Another gardener Zarbad told Pajhwok that the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock had not cooperated with him as required.

He added they approached the department several times, but received a negative response.

He said they visited the Department of Agriculture from time to time about diseases, but received no help at all.

On the other hand, officials say this year new orchards were established on 195 acres of land in the provincial capital and districts.

Mustaghfar Garbaz, the spokesman for the governor of Khost, told Pajhwok that orchards in the province yielded good results and they planned to establish orchards using a new and modern system.

He said: “According to our estimates, this year’s persimmon harvest is better than last year. The technical team of the Department of Agriculture has paid full attention to this and, considering the climate of Khost, the harvest is increasing year by year.”

Musaghfar Gurbaz said that persimmon orchards were established on 246 jerib of land in the province last year and their effort was s to help and cooperate with orchardists in various fields.

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