GHAZNI CITY (SW) – Grape farmers in Ghazni province are facing significant challenges due to the spread of ash dieback disease, particularly affecting grapevines in the region.
They lament that this disease has damaged their orchards and grape bunches, leaving them disheartened about harvesting their desired yields.
Hayatullah, a grape farmer from Noghi village in central Ghazni, expressed distress over the prevalence of ash dieback among his grapevines. With approximately 400 grapevines in his orchard, he highlighted the annual impact of this disease, which prevents him from achieving satisfactory yields.
“When the fruit ripens, it stays inedible, turns black, and falls off when touched, causing the entire bunch to collapse. The grapes do not grow properly; even raisins from these grapes turn out black and unfit for consumption,” Hayatullah described the symptoms.
Ash dieback is caused by a vascular wilt fungus. This is a fungus that affects the water transport system of trees, which is just beneath the bark. The fungus (formally known as Chalara fraxinea) produces small white mushroom-like growths (Hymenoscyphus pseudofraxineus) between July and October.
Another farmer, Nazir, from Qala-e-Bala village in Khwaja Omari district of Ghazni, also spoke of the devastating effects of ash dieback on his grapevines this year. He called for assistance from agricultural authorities, urging them to distribute plant remedies to affected farmers.
“Unfortunately, our grapevines are not producing well this year due to ash dieback disease, akin to anthracnose, affecting our grape bunches. Unless we receive help from agricultural authorities with remedies, our yields may significantly decrease this season,” he said.
Saleh Mohammad Ghaznawi, an agricultural expert, attributed the spread of ash dieback in grape orchards to climate change, poor environmental health practices in orchards, and farmers’ lack of awareness about the disease. He suggested methods such as “pruning grapevine bunches to maintain airflow, removing weeds from orchards, and regular green pruning to mitigate the disease”.
Meanwhile, officials from the Ghazni Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock acknowledge the increasing prevalence of ash dieback in grape orchards. They stated that they are actively advising farmers and prescribing remedies to combat the disease.
Mohammad Zakaria Hotak, the Director General of Plant Protection at the directorate, emphasized the daily influx of farmers seeking guidance and assistance regarding plant diseases. He mentioned that “farmers regularly bring samples and disease specimens to the department, where they receive essential recommendations and necessary remedies for combating agricultural ailments”.
However, according to Hotak, due to resource and facility limitations, they are unable to provide medicinal solutions directly, prompting farmers to purchase necessary plant remedies after consultation with technical teams.
He noted, “last year, the directorate had a supply of specific remedies which were distributed to farmers for combating diseases. However, this year, there is a regrettable shortage of these essential remedies.”
In the past two years, irregular rainfall patterns, hailstorms, and untimely cold spells during the spring season have exacerbated challenges for farmers, leading to increased incidents of plant diseases and pests.
