Takhar honey production declines

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): Despite a drastic production fall, the market value of honey remains unaffected in northern Takhar province, officials said on Sunday.

One agriculture department official cited torrential rains and unusual summer storms as the main reasons for the big decline in honey production.

Amir Khan told Pajhwok Afghan News 20,000 honeybees had been killed by inimical weather conditions.

Syed Sharif, one beekeeper, said locally produced honey was yet to find its way to the international market. The government should take necessary measures to boost the business and paved the way for honey exports, he demanded.

But Agriculture Director Eng. Mohammad Salam Sayee said the honey industry in Takhar province had improved as a result of assistance from NGOs and other technical institutes.

He said honey was mainly produced in Farkhar, Kalafgan and Dasht-i-Qala districts, where farmers were provided with latest equipment and assistance by the Agha Khan Development Network (AKDN) and Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nation.

nh/mud

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