KABUL (Pajhwok): The Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department in southeastern Khost province says successful trials of five new agricultural crops, alongside various wheat and maize varieties, have been conducted at the Jawarsal Research Farm.
Hijratullah Zaman, director of research at the department, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the seeds would soon be distributed to farmers for cultivation.
He said the Jawarsal Research Farm serves as a centre for modern agricultural knowledge and practical experiments, which will help promote new agricultural products in the province.
Zaman added that over the past two years, successful trials had been carried out on wheat and maize varieties, as well as other crops including chickpeas, flax, quinoa — an important source of protein — beans and mustard.
According to him, the newly tested wheat and maize seeds are significantly more productive than the currently used varieties, producing nearly double the yield.
He explained: “We have launched research in five sections at the Jawarsal Research Farm, covering cereals, industrial crops, vegetables, forestry, horticulture and plant diseases. Studies are ongoing in all these areas.”
Zaman emphasised that the aim of the research is to promote crops that can reduce farmers’ economic challenges while increasing domestic agricultural production.
“Every farmer works hard but earns little profit. We are conducting experiments on cereals and industrial crops such as flax, quinoa, mustard, chickpeas, beans and others. Once research confirms positive results, we share them with farmers so they can avoid repeated losses and achieve higher yields,” he said.
Farmers said the research on new crops at the farm has raised their hopes for modern farming practices.
Shahbaz, a local farmer, told Pajhwok: “The seeds planted here are of very high quality and produce excellent yields. These seeds are not available locally and if provided to us, they will bring much greater benefits.”
Gul Hamid, another farmer, said that previously, farmers relied on unfamiliar and low-yield seeds. “Now, after testing the new improved seeds and crops, we can cultivate with greater confidence,” he said.
He added that he recently visited the research farm, observed fields of wheat, maize and other new crops and noted that the tested seeds yielded better than traditional varieties.
He said distributing these seeds among farmers could improve local economic conditions.
Wali Noor, an agriculture expert in the province, said Khost has a suitable climate and fertile land for cultivating a variety of crops.
He described the research farm as highly beneficial, noting that it helps increase the production of improved seeds, test new crops, study plant diseases and pests, and provide practical training for farmers.
According to Noor, the Jawarsal Research Farm has the potential to increase farmers’ yields and accelerate the modernization of agriculture in the province.
kk/sa
