Bamyan produces bumper potatoes crop

BAMYAN (Pajhwok): Afghanistan would be self-sufficient in potato if proper cultivation and storage strategies were introduced in central Bamyan province, an official said Tuesday.

Provincial agriculture department said more than 1,400 storages had been built throughout the province which had the storage capacity of 25 percent of total potato crops.

Funds for storages’ facilities construction were provided from the development budget allocated by the ministry of agriculture, World.

Eng. Mohammad TahirAtai, provincial director agriculture department, told Pajhwok Afghan news the crop had increased from three and half tons to five tons in half acre land.

He said distribution of refined seeds and creating awareness among farmers community led to bumper potato crops in the province.

The 112 millions afghanis loan scheme extended to farmers provided by the WB had helped tremendously in the increase of potato crops, he added.

He said the ministry of agriculture and livestock was planning the construction of more storage facilities in the province which would help farmers to protect their corps.

Safdar Ali, a farmer, said the construction of storage houses helped in keeping the potatoes fresh for long.

“We used to store potatoes in open which resulted in the wastage of the crop. However, the constructions of storage facilities help keep the crop for long,” he added.

The widely cultivated potatoes in Bamyan province were being exported to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as well.

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