KABUL (SW) – A number of farmers in Balkh, expressing their satisfaction with the increase in strawberry yield, say that the monsoon rains and the suitable weather for planting caused them to get satisfactory results this year.
Mohammad Naser, a farmer in Dehdadi district of Balkh, says that in the current year, he allocated five jeribs of land for planting strawberries and reaped good results from it. He adds: “Monsoon rains and good weather in Balkh have caused a significant increase in strawberry yield compared to the past, and we are happy with this situation.”
Taher Khan, another farmer, said that the use of correct planting methods has increased strawberry yield. “In order to increase the yield of strawberries, the land should be cleared, organized and trees or bushes should be planted with a precise distance. The lands must be given timely irrigation and chemical fertilizer,” he stated.
The farmers, however, add that the lack of standard cold storage facilities to store their products has made them face problems.
Mohammad Naser, another farmer, asked the de-facto government to establish standard cold storage facilities in Balkh, to support farmers and domestic products. According to him, “Strawberry is a fruit that spoils quickly. In addition to marketing, the government should create cold storage facilities for strawberry storage and provide the necessary facilities for planting, harvesting, preserving and packaging of the strawberries.”
Strawberry is one of the summer fruits that is frequently sold in the market, and currently one kilogram of it is sold from 100 to 150 Afghanis in Balkh markets.
On the other hand, Mohammad Hussain Azimi, director of extension of the Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Balkh, says that in the past years, 100 jeribs of strawberry land were planted, but now, this figure has increased to more than 150 jeribs of land. He estimates the yield of strawberries in the province at 225 tons and adds that each jerib of land will produce at least one ton.
“150 jeribs of land have been planted in Dawlatabad, Dehdadi and Chamtal districts. Due to the monsoon rains, the yield of this fruit has increased significantly,” shared Azimi.
A number of agricultural experts mention that Balkh’s climate is suitable for planting fruit species, especially strawberries.
Abdul Aziz Sultani, an agricultural expert, says that farmers in Balkh use greenhouses to grow strawberries, which increases their yields. “The suitable weather for strawberries is 25-35 degrees Celsius, so gardeners should build greenhouses and seek advice from professionals in the agricultural sector.”
In recent years, strawberries are planted in Balkh, Nangarhar, Kandahar and a number of other provinces, and farmers’ interest in planting them has increased compared to the past.