LASHKARGAH CITY (SW) – Officials from the agriculture directorate in Helmand say that the basil cultivation has increased in the province this year compared to last year and according to their estimates, the yield will be significantly multiplied.
Local officials told Salam Watandar that basil was planted on 1,199 hectares of agricultural land in the province last year, and 2,158 tons of crops were obtained, but this year, basil was planted on 1,432 hectares of land, which shows an increase of 233 hectares compared to last year.
Shafiqullah, the agriculture director at the Helmand Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, said: “The cultivation of basil in Helmand is more different than last year. Basil was planted on 1,199 hectares of agricultural land last year, and the yield was 2,158 tons, but this year basil was planted on 1,432 hectares of land.”
He further points out the main reason for growing basil on a large scale in this province is the low cost of growing basil and the high yield.
The residents of Chah Anjir area in Nad-e Ali district, who planted basil on their agricultural lands, stated that last year, they got a significant yield and profit from this cultivation, and for this reason, they planted a lot of basil this year.
Mohammad Agha, a farmer from this area, said: “This year, we planted basil again because last year it gave a good yield, but the government should give us modified seeds and agricultural medicine.”
The farmers in Helmand province are also requesting an increase in agricultural assistance and training programs from the directorate of agriculture.
It should be said that before the establishment of the de-facto government of the Islamic Emirate, Helmand was considered one of the provinces where poppy was cultivated on a large scale, but now other agricultural plants have taken its place.
