Onions price up by 30pc in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Onions price in northern Balkh province has surged by 30 percent since its export had increased, an official said on Wednesday.

Agriculture Director Mawlavi Ruknudin Mutasem told Pajhwok Afghan onions cultivated on 30,000 hectares land this year and each hectare produced 14 tonnes of onions.

Mutasem said there was increase in the export of onions due to which its local price surged by 30 percent.

Earlier, seven kilograms of onions sold at 150 afs but after increase in its export currently the same quantity of onions was available at 200 afs.

Khair Mohammad, one the farmers, was thrilled with the growing onions price and said it was reasonable comparing to other agriculture products.

He said: “This year onions were cultivated on a small swath of land because last year farmers suffered losses.”

Safiullah, another farmer, said: “This year onions price was reasonable comparing to the past years and help the farmers earn decent revenue.”

He added: “Cold storages must be build where we can keep our products and prevent imports from other countries.”

Shahabudin, an onion businessman, said due to the lack of cold storages farmers sold their products at low rate.

He also stressed government should build cold storages in different areas where farmers cold store their products.

Aw/nh

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