Uruzgan produces 15pc more figs this year

TARINKOT (Pajhwok): Figs yield have produced positive result in southern Uruzgan province and if the crop is promoted it could be an alternative for poppy, according to the farmers on Sunday.

Azizullah, a farmer from the Deh Yak area, of Tirinkot, the provincial capital, said currently fig yield is the only alternative for poppy.

He said this year he cultivated fig on all barren lands which were in the past poppy fields.

He, however, said the lack of market for figs was worrying as his figs are about to be harvested but there is not market for the product.

Ghulam Ishaq, the resident of Khanaqi area, said fig cultivation is a suitable and legal alternative for poppy.

He said if suitable market is explored for figs, its profit is greater than poppy.

He said now he take his figs to Kandahar and due to the lack of proper market he has to sell it at half price.

Akhtar Mohammad, the resident of Chora district, said figs farming produced positive outcome in the area but farmers are not fully familiar with the crop.

He said currently 4.5 kilograms of dried fig was sold for 2,000 to 4,000 afs in Uruzgan province.

Agriculture Department also acknowledged that Uruzgan is suitable for figs cultivation.

Agriculture Department Spokesperson Abdul Manan Farooqi said there was 15 percent surge in the fig yield this year compared to the past year.

He said last year 2,807 tonnes of figs produced while this year 3,228 tonnes of figs had produced in the province.

Farooqi said fig were better alternative for poppy and pledge full cooperation with farmers in this regard.

There is no proper market place for fig in Uruzgan and the fruit is dispatched to Kabul or Kandahar from where it is exported to other countries.

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