Lemon, citrus trees sowed on vast Helmand’s land

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Agriculture officials on Wednesday said lemon and citrus gardens were planted last year on thousands of hectors of land to prevent cultivation of poppy in southern Helmand province.

Helmand Agriculture Director Zalmay Aloko told Pajhwok Afghan News that lemon and citrus trees were cultivated on 10,000 hectors of land last year in the province and the yield this year was satisfactory.

He said, “Our experiment shows Helmand’s climate is ideal for lemon and citrus cultivation.”

He said if Helmand growers wanted to plant lemon and citrus trees in their fields instead of poppies, the agriculture department will support them.

Abdul Bari, a farmer in Nawa district, said he planted 40 trees of lemon and citrus three years back and this year he collected 30 to 40 kilograms of citrus from each tree.

He was happy with the citrus yield, saying he planned to sow 100 to 300 more citrus trees next year.

Malak Sayed Hasham Khan, a tribal elder in Nawa district, told Pajhwok that he had planted three citrus trees at his home. Pleased with his each tree’s harvest, the elder urged the authorities concerned to arrange more workshops this regard.

pk/ma