Baghlan’s rice yield up, prices down this year

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department has recorded a 12 percent surge in rice yield in northern of Baghlan province this year.

However, despite the higher harvest, farmers are grumbling about lower prices for their produce.

Abdullah Niazai, an official of the department, told Pajhwok Afghan News rice had been cultivated on 27,590 hectares of land in the province this year.

He recalled last year the crop had been sown on 24,745 hectares of land that produced 104,138 metric tonnes of rice.

The official estimated this year yield at 118,645 metric tonnes yield, showing a 12 surge.

He added: “The department had given necessary instructions to farmers about rice cultivation this year, which led to the surge in yield.”

The official said the Agriculture Department had also distributed improved seeds and chemical fertilisers to growers.

On the other hand, farmers are happy over the rise in this year’s rice harvest, but they are complaining about a fall in prices.

Gul Alam, a grower from Dand Ghori district, voiced satisfaction with the rice harvest. “Last year, I had harvested nearly a tonne of rice from half an acre of land, but this year the yield has doubled.”

Last year, he sold per seven kilograms of rice for 400 afghanis, but this year, the price has decreased to 300 afghanis.

kk/mud