Agriculture

An agriculture activist in western Herat province says that following the publication of a Pajhwok report about his efforts to modernize agriculture through the distribution of improved seeds, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has signed two contracts with him to support the initiative.

The Agriculture and Livestock Department of central Logar province says onion production has risen significantly in the province this year, with yields increasing by nearly 300 metric tons compared to last year’s.

After Pajhwok Afghan News published a report about a women-led agricultural cooperative in Jawzjan, the Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department of northern Jawzjan province and supporting organisations have now provided machinery and improved seeds to the cooperative.

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which Afghan agricultural products will be exported to global markets through Uzbekistan.

Farmers and orchard owners in southern Ghazni province complain about poor harvests this year due to drought and ask the government to construct dams to address water shortages.

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock says the export level of dried fruits from southern Kandahar province will reach 5,000 metric tons this year following their high production in the country.

The National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) says 4.54 million metric tonnes of wheat have been produced across Afghanistan in the current solar year.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the World Bank, has constructed 360 modern storage facilities for potatoes and onions across several provinces of Afghanistan.

NEILI (Pajhwok): Orchard owners in Daikundi say almonds have proved resilient to water shortages and remain the only crop sustaining local livelihoods, even as recent droughts have severely affected agriculture in the central province.

Pistachio traders in western Badghis province have raised concerns over declining sales, urging the government to take serious steps to improve market access, warning that their stored produce may otherwise spoil.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MoAIL) says that more than 1.32 million metric tonnes of watermelon have been harvested across Afghanistan this year.

FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Farmers in western Ghor province are happy with potato yields this year despite drought conditions, but complain about the lack of cold storages to preserve the harvests.