Farmers seek support for growing pistachio orchards

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Farmers in southern Helmand province have demanded the government plant pistachio orchards for them, as the climate of the province suits fruit.

Agricultural officials said a nursery of 10,000 pistachio saplings had been developed this year. Next year, these saplings would be distributed to growers.

An agriculture survey had shown that Helmand’s Nahr-i-Seraj, Nad Ali, Garamsee districts, provincial capital Lashkargah and some other areas were suitable for pistachio plantation.

Mohammad, the resident of Lashkargah’s Bolan area, said: “I have 900 Pistachio trees and last year I got 510 kilogram of pistachio from them most of which was exported to China.”

He asked the government to help people grow pistachio farms. “We want the government to provide us with modern machinery which will help us better process our yield.”

Mohammad Lal, a resident of Nad Ali district, said: “I have an orchard on an acre of land and its yield more profitable than other crops.”

He explained: “I have worked on pistachio farms in Iran and have good experience in this field. This fruit has fair income but it should be looked after properly.”

Lal said one kilogram of pistachio accounted for 710 afs -- more profitable than opium poppies and other crops.

Agriculture Director Ikramuddin Niazi said: “10,000 pistachio saplings have been grown in a nursery to establish orchards on 50 acres of land in Helmand in the future.”

He said besides pistachio, peach, pomegranate and other orchards had been planted on 175 acres of land in Helmand. People are happy about the yield.

nh/mud