Sar-i-Pul farmers seek viable alternatives to poppy

SAR-I-PUL (Pajhwok): Some farmers in northern Sar-i-Pul province have urged the caretaker government to provide them with alternative source of income to replace poppy cultivation.

However, the Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department says it has introduced good plans to enhance the agriculture sector in the province.

Abdul Hai, a farmer from Syedabad district, said he had stopped growing poppy since the caretaker government banned the illicit crop in the country, but asked the government to provide them with alternative crops to poppy with good market.

He added: “Poppy cultivation is illegal and puts people's health at risk. I feel happy that poppy cultivation is banned, but I want the caretaker government to introduce an alternative to poppy cultivation for farmers.”

He pointed out garlic and onions could be good alternatives to poppy, but the market of these crops was not stable and the price fluctuations caused losses to farmers.

Hassan, another farmer from Syedabad district, said: “Farmers earn bread through farming, lack of sufficient water, high prices of fertilizers have forced them to switch to high-value crops and poppy was one of them. But the cultivation of poppy has been banned.”

He called for introduction of alternative crops that have a good place in the world markets and guarantee the interests of farmers.

Ibrahim, another farmer, mentioned drought, lack of suitable market and weak support of concerned department as main problems being faced by farmers in the province.

He urged the caretaker government to provide farmers with alternative crops to poppy.

He added: “We ask the government to introduce a comprehensive agricultural program for farmers as an alternative to poppy cultivation.”

Meanwhile, Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Director Damla Sharifullah Mosadiq said his department has provided training programmes to farmers in areas of improved seeds production, cultivation methods and also distributed wheat seeds to them in order to increase their harvests over the last three years.

He added the IEA was aware of the challenges of farmers and their problems will be reduced year by year and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock has promised farmers many times to improve the farming system and this will be accomplished.

kk/ma