Paktia’s wheat yield surges to 60,000MT this year

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Wheat production in southeastern Paktia province surged to 60,000 metric tonnes this year, showing a 50 percent increase, local officials said on Thursday.

Officials attributed the bumper yield to timely distribution of improved quality wheat seed and chemical fertilizers to farmers and timely rains in spring.

Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Director Azizullah Karimi told Pajhwok Afghan News growers produced more than 40,000 metric tonnes last year and this year the yield surpassed 60,000 metric tonnes, showing a 50 percent increase.

He said partner organizations had timely distributed seeds and chemicals to farmers and the move had good outcome.

“The province produced 40,823 metric tonnes last year. This year the crop was cultivated on 27,000 hectares of land that produced 59,896.3 metric tonnes.”

On the other hand, Rozi Khan, a farmer in Ahmad Aba district, told Pajhwok the wheat yield had doubled compared to last year’s.

Farmers said they were satisfied with the yield, thanks improved quality seeds and chemical fertilizers they received.

hz/ma