Sweet orange yield to exceed 2200MT this year: MoAIL

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MoAIL) says sweet orange production has been estimated at 2,214 metric tonnes this year in eastern Nangarhar province, showing nearly a five percent increase over last year’s yield.

In a statement, MoAIL said that orange orchards have been established on 215.6 hectares of land across 13 districts of the province— Kuz Kunar, Darah Noor, Goshta, Rodat, Kot, Bati Kot, Achin, Ghanikhel, Momand Dara, Surkh Rod, Khogyani, Nazyan and Chaparhar— and it was expected that this year’s harvest would be higher than previous years.

The ministry recalled that last year, oranges were cultivated on 204.6 hectares of land, yielding 2,108.75 metric tonnes, but due to the expansion of orchards and improved management this year, production has increased to an estimated 2,214 metric tonnes— around five percent higher than last year.

The statement added hundreds of orchard owners in the districts of Nangarhar were provided with agricultural tools and given necessary training in orchard management, fertiliser application, irrigation and disease prevention to enhance the quality and quantity of their produce.

The ministry continued that next year, new orchards of citrus and other fruits will be established for interested farmers in order to strengthen the agriculture sector and improve people’s economic conditions.

Nangarhar is one of Afghanistan’s leading provinces for citrus cultivation due to its suitable climate, fertile land and sufficient water. The oranges, lemons and other fruits grown here not only meet domestic market demand but also have export value.

kk/ma