Wheat production in Kunduz drops by 20pc this year

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): More than 184,000 hectares of land have been cultivated with wheat in northern Kunduz province, but the yield this year may decline by 20 percent, agriculture officials said on Saturday.

Director of Agriculture, Irrigation and LivestockMohammad Nabil Raufi told Pajhwok Afghan News wheat production was not satisfactory for farmers and the authorities concerned in 2016.

“Last year, wheat production in Kunduz was recorded at 480,000 tonnes from 182,000 hectares of land. But in 2016, the yieldis expected to fall to 411,000 tonnes from total 184,000 acres of land, showing a 20 percent reduction,” he added.

The reason behind the fall in the production level was lack of snowfall and rains in the winter and most of the fields were attacked by pests across the province in the spring and summer, he said.

In addition to the productionfall, some of farmers voiced concern over the decline in wheat price in the local market.

“This year production of wheat is less and even could not meet the cultivation costs. On the other hand, wheat prices have also fallen after showing a surge in the growing season,” said Ghulam Mama, a 60 years old farmer.

Last year, he cultivated five acres of land with wheat, which produced 3.5 tonnes, but this year the same land produced 1.54 tonnes -- an yield that even could not meet even the cultivation cost.

While complainingof lower production, another trader from Chardara district, Karim, asked the government to assist them with improved wheat seeds and chemical fertilisers.

myn/mud