FARAH CITY (SW) – A number of raisin producers in Farah say that although this year’s grape yield and raisin production in this province have increased compared to previous years, but they are facing the challenge of not having a suitable market to sell their products.
Raisin producers want the authorities to create a suitable market for the sale of raisins and provide the basis for its export abroad.
Khan Mohammad, one of the raisin producers in Farah, says that they use chemical and physical methods to dry grapes and produce raisins.
He adds: “First, we separate the leaves and rotten grape seeds and collect the healthy and well-cooked yellow bunches, then we put one kilogram of potassium carbonate, 100 cc of folic acid and 30 liters of water in the same bucket and make a solution, then after a minute, we pull it and take it to the raisin store above the thread, we throw it and the raisin is ready.”
Khan Mohammad, said he is satisfied with the amount of raisins produced from his gardens, but he says that the lack of a suitable market has caused him to sell raisins from 130 to 160 afghanis per kilogram.
At the same time, the experts of agriculture affairs in Farah say that due to the good weather, quality grapes and raisins are produced in this province.
Shah Mahmoud Nurzai, an expert in agriculture, says: “Grading should be done after the raisins are dried. Undoubtedly, Afghan raisins and grapes have no competitors in the region because Afghanistan’s climate has enough sun to produce sweet grapes if we consider the technical and professional standards during drying.”
On the other hand, the raisin traders in Farah say that standard methods are not used for packing raisins in this province, and the lack of standard cold stores to store their products has made them face problems.
Sibghatullah, one of the raisin traders in Farah, says: “Afghan raisin does not spoil quickly, it does not lose its quality quickly and it is something good. We are not satisfied with the packaging of raisins because they don’t have the right cartons, they don’t meet international standards. We buy a ton of raisins for 150,000 afghanis.”
On the other hand, some residents of Farah say that the raisins of this province are of good quality and they include them in their food.
Noor Ahmed, a resident of Farah, says: “Raisins are good this year. Raisins are more useful than grapes and are sold in the markets because they are mostly used during Eids, people use them for breakfast, and they are more useful than grapes.”
However, officials in the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Farah say that there are more than 7,500 vineyards in this province, which produce more than 127,000 metric tons of grapes annually, and most of the grapes are converted into raisins and sold in the market.
Abdul Khaliq Shirazed, the general manager of agricultural services of the Farah Department of Agriculture, says that they always provide useful guidance to raisin producers and are trying to provide the basis for selling raisin products inside and outside the country in coordination with donor institutions. He adds: “In this part, we had the necessary talks with partner institutions, and in the very near future, educational programs will be opened in the part of sorting and packaging.”
According to traders in Farah, the raisins of this province, especially the black and green raisins, have more buyers in the domestic and international markets.
ENDS
