Local officials in Nangarhar say that peach production has increased this year, estimating that more than 9,000 metric tons will be harvested from orchards across the province.
They reported that peach orchards have been established on 2,600 acres of land across 15 districts in Nangarhar.
Ajmal Subhani, spokesperson for the Nangarhar Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, said: “It is estimated that this year the orchards will produce 9,038.75 metric tons. To promote peach cultivation, the agriculture department has established new orchards, plans for more are underway, and farmers have been provided with agricultural tools and trained in plant disease management and other areas.”
Meanwhile, orchard owners and fruit traders are calling on the caretaker government to support domestic production by restricting the import of seasonal fruits.
Younes, a fruit trader in Nangarhar, said: “The import of fruits from other countries should be controlled. Priority should be given to local fruits so that farmers benefit.”
Ismail, who established a peach orchard on eight acres of land in Kama district eight years ago, said that his harvests have been increasing year by year. Besides covering his family’s expenses, he has created job opportunities for others.
Hazrat Baz, a worker at Ismail’s orchard, said: “We are paid 300 afghani per day. If more orchards like this are built, many unemployed young people like us would find jobs.”
According to the Nangarhar Department of Agriculture, last year the province’s peach orchards produced 8,964 metric tons of peaches.