Agriculture

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.

Agriculture Department officials in northern Samangan say this year’s almond yield in the province has increased by five percent compared to last year’s harvest. However, traders and gardeners report that reduced exports have caused a decline in the market price of the dried fruit.

PAKTIA (Pajhwok): Orchard owners in southeastern Paktia province say their orchards yielded better yields this year compared to the previous years, but the fruits are being sold at lower prices due to the lack of a suitable market. They demanded of the government to find market and and construct cold storage facilities for their crops.

A prominent agricultural figure in western Herat province, drawing on years of experience in the field, is striving to modernise traditional farming by promoting and distributing improved quality seed varieties.

About 90,000 doses of the small ruminant plague (PPR) vaccine have been distributed to veterinary clinics with financial support from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in northern Faryab province.

The third round of livestock plague vaccination has started in northern Jawzjan province, with 80,000 doses to be administered in the center and districts, an official said on Thursday.