Saplings business on rise as spring approaches in Nangarhar

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The demand for tree saplings and flowers has witnessed a significant increase in eastern Nangarhar province, with a noticeable rush of buyers at local nurseries as the spring season approaches.

Local officials say about four million tree-saplings have been raised and are ready to be sent to other provinces in addition to local markets of Nangarhar province.

A piece of land in Hadda Farm area has been allocated for nurseries of flowers, tree-saplings and ornamental trees for raising and selling, officials add.

On a daily basis, many people and other growers from various areas visit these nurseries for purchasing such saplings and bushes.

Mohammad Ibrahim, a supplier of seedlings, says in the past they would import tree seedlings from Pakistan and they would give no good result, but now saplings raised locally are familiar with the climate of the country and their result is also favorable.

Ibrahim said: “The plants’ market varies, now is the time for the plantation of tree saplings and orchards that is why people purchase more and more tree saplings. When the spring comes, they will purchase flowers as well.”

Tree-saplings and flowers market generate a number of employment opportunities for local people as well.

Israruddin, a resident of Farm Hadda area said, he goes to school in the morning and then comes to this market in the afternoon to sell tree saplings and flowers.

He said: “When the owner is absent, I do his job. I unload saplings from trucks or load sold items on trucks for customers.”

Customers are satisfied with the prices of these plants and they also urge the government to have control on prices.

One customer Sayed Ismail wants to buy some tree saplings for his house yard. He said: “The prices are good. It seems the quality of flowers and tree-saplings is also good.”

He said: “The spring season is approaching, I ask other people to come and purchase tree saplings. Each Afghan must plant a tree for the prosperity of the country.”

Local Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation director Maulvi Wali Muhsin said about four million tree-saplings had been raised in Nangarhar for the purpose of plantation.

He also asked people to pay more attention to plantation and raising trees for greenery and prosperity of their areas.

The spring-tree-plantation drive started some days ago in Nangarhar and officials have planted a number of trees in some parts of the province.

aw/ma