Rise in watermelon yield in Farah expected this year

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): The Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department in western Farah province estimates this year’s watermelon yield at 541,500 metric tonnes in the province.

Agriculture and Livestock director Maulvi Abdul Ghani Abid told Pajhwok Afghan News watermelons were planted on 14,250 hectares of land in the province this year, which will produce 541,500 tonnes of the fruit.

He recalled last year, watermelons were planted on 15,478 hectares of land and produced 572,686 tonnes.

About 37 tonnes harvest was obtained from a hectare last year, but this year the amount will reach 38 tonnes, he explained.

On the other hand, Farah farmers are not happy with the watermelon harvest.

Abdul Jalil, a farmer from Karezak area of ​​Farah city, told Pajhwok: “Recent rains caused heavy financial losses to us. All our crops have been damaged.”

He said that he bought watermelon seeds and put a lot of effort into it, but he was unsure to meet his expenses.

Mohammad Reza, a farmer in Pashtrod district, also told Pajhwok cold weather had damaged their crops.

kk/ma

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