HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): A number of orchard owners in western Herat province say fruit yields have increased this year, but they continue to face major challenges, including a shortage of standard cold storage facilities, limited knowledge of drip irrigation systems and restricted access to markets.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Herat has around 400,000 hectares of agricultural land and more than 28,000 hectares of orchards, making it one of Afghanistan’s key agricultural and horticultural centres.
The province produces a wide range of crops and fruits, including wheat, saffron, grapes, pomegranates, almonds, apricots, peaches and pistachios, providing livelihoods for thousands of families.
Abdul Zahir, an orchard owner in Karukh district, told Pajhwok Afghan News that weather conditions in Herat this year had been much better compared to previous years, positively affecting agricultural production.
He said he owns an orchard of peaches, plums and cherries covering two and a half jeribs of land. Last year, he harvested up to three tonnes of fruit, but expects this year’s yield to exceed five tonnes.
He added that providing farmers and orchard owners with training in drip irrigation could significantly increase production and urged the agriculture department to pay greater attention to the issue.
Meanwhile, Ghulam Mohammad, a resident of Herat city who owns a six-jerib vineyard, also expressed satisfaction with this year’s harvest and said yields are expected to be better than last year.
However, he identified the lack of standard cold storage facilities and limited access to international markets as major challenges facing orchard owners.
“Our request to the government is to provide training in drip irrigation, make the necessary equipment available, build standard cold storage facilities and pay greater attention to fruit exports,” he said.
The orchard owners believe that addressing these challenges would increase fruit production in the province, improve their economic situation and contribute positively to the national economy.
Nasir Ahmad Qazizada, an agriculture specialist at the department of agriculture, said the province, with more than 28,000 hectares of orchards, is one of the country’s main centres for fresh fruit production.
He said thousands of tonnes of grapes, pomegranates, apricots, plums, apples and peaches are harvested annually in the province.
According to him, favourable weather conditions and increased rainfall directly contribute to higher agricultural and horticultural yields.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Yousuf Amin, executive manager of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said 24 tonnes of apples have been exported from the province since the beginning of the current year.
He said the chamber is working to increase agricultural exports, identify new international markets, expand transit facilities and accelerate customs procedures in order to strengthen the presence of Herat’s products in global markets.
Governor spokesman Mohammad Yousuf Saeedi said the local administration supports the growth of the agricultural sector and has plans to strengthen exports.
He added that programmes are being implemented to address the problems facing orchard owners and farmers, develop the necessary infrastructure and increase the volume of agricultural exports.
kk/sa
