Wheat yield doubles in Badghis

HERAT CITY (PAN): Wheat production in northwestern Badghis province has more than doubled this year, compared to the 2012 yield, an official said on Sunday.

Citing a survey, Agriculture Director Hafizullah Benish told Pajhwok Afghan News this year’s production stood at 96,000 metric tonnes, compared to 38,000 metric tonnes last year.

He linked the bumper wheat crop to timely rains, the absence of plant diseases and distribution of improved seeds and fertilisers by the government.

Farmers in Badghis bring 70,000 hectares of land every year under wheat cultivation and 80 percent of fields are rain-fed, according to Benish.

A grower from Maqur district, Mir Alam, said one kilogram of seed produced 10 kilograms of wheat this year, calling it a record amount.

Another farmer from Bala Murghab district, Ismail Khan, was happy over the increased production. But he complained about low prices and lack of access to market.

He said seven kilograms of wheat cost 60 afghanis in rural areas and while the same amount sold for 100afs in cities.

Growers also complain about security problems on highways, saying illegal armed groups and insurgents demand their share in the wheat yield and other crops in the name of Zakat and Usher.

The governor’s spokesman, Sharafuddin Majidi, confirmed problems on highways, but said security forces had launched an operation to clear the areas of insurgents.

mds/ma/mud

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