Hundreds of orchards being planted in Paktia

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Hundreds of fruit orchards would be planted in the capital and districts of southeastern Paktia province during the first months of this solar year, an official said on Sunday.

Niaz Mohammad Lalai Zadran, Paktia Agriculture and Livestock Department head, told Pajhwok Afghan News during an interview that the orchards were being established on a total of 750 acres of land.

He said the plantations in some districts had been completed and were underway in others, with land owners contributing 25 percent to the total cost

Orchard owners would continue receiving chemical fertiliser and medicines in aid under a five-year programme, the official said.  Zadran said they planned planting thousands of olive trees this year as well.

A farmer in the Syed Karam district, Habibullah, said government’s assistance with farmers had not been considerable over the past few years despite increased fruit yields.

Paktia is a mountainous province with most of its parts covered by forests. The trend of establishing fruit orchards has recently developed, improving locals’ economy.

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