BADAKHSHAN (SW): Local officials and agronomists in Badakshan expressed their concerns over the critically endangered species of native and local trees in a number of districts in this province.
According to them, in recent years, the use of farmed seedlings has put the native trees at risk of extinction.
A number of gardeners in Badakshan said the local markets were selling the fruits cultivated from native trees, however, in the past few years, the imported fruits have replaced the native fruits.
Ahmad Naweed and Nuri, two of the gardeners in Baharak district of Badakshan told Salam Watandar that the apples grown in Rukhsh area of Baharak district were very famous, but now the imported apples have taken its place in the market.
These farmers said with the emergence of the farmed seedlings in the market, the apple trees of Rukhsh in Baharak have been at risk of extinction, however, the farmers have been trying to protect and revive the native trees.
Mohammad Azim Mosawi, the district governor of Baharak, in a conversation with Salam Watandar said that new horticultural products have a low resistance, and the lack of facilities to keep these products survive have created problems for gardeners.
According to Mosawi, gardeners in Baharak district will have the ability to supply apples for the northern part of the country if the government supports the gardeners for the native breeding of fruit trees.
Mohammad Alam Alami, head of the Badakshan Agriculture Department said it is difficult to keep fruits and other agricultural products due to lack of electricity in the district.
According to Alami, new species of trees are less resistant to diseases and climate change, and therefore, the Agriculture Department has plans to revive the native species of fruit trees that have better resistance to local climate
Alami added that the Agriculture Department has built gardens in all the districts of the province to maintain and sustain the native fruit trees.
According to local officials at the Badakhshan Department of Agriculture, the plans are underway to preserve indigenous fruit trees and support the gardeners and farmers to restore and protect the native fruit trees in the province.
ENDS
