Grafting and propagation through cuttings are considered important and effective methods in agriculture. In Laghman province, these methods are being used to produce improved and resilient saplings from fruit trees and other plants.
Saplings produced through grafting and cuttings grow faster, are more resistant to diseases, and bear fruit within a shorter period.
A number of farmers say that grafted saplings produce yields earlier than plants grown from ordinary seeds, while trees cultivated from seeds may take several years to bear fruit. Likewise, plants propagated through cuttings retain the original characteristics of the mother plant and provide high-quality products for the market.
Nematullah and Gul Ahmad, two farmers from the Chardahi area of central Laghman, told Salam Watandar that they have cultivated thousands of grafted and cutting-grown saplings on their farmland and earn higher incomes from this sector compared to vegetable farming.
Nematullah said, “We have planted around 9,000 grafted and cutting-grown saplings on our land, which become productive in nearly one year. The work requires a lot of effort and is time-consuming, but it generates good income in return.” He added,
“We currently cultivate pomegranate and fig cuttings, as well as grape, quince, and oleaster cuttings. In addition, we plant the seeds of almonds, apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, and persimmons, and obtain prepared grafts from the Department of Agriculture for grafting purposes. With the arrival of winter, we bring these saplings to the market. Alongside this, we also propagate ornamental plants and flowers through cuttings, which provide good yields and generate more profit than vegetables and other agricultural products.”
Gul Ahmad also said, “Cuttings and grafted saplings become ready sooner, whereas plants grown from seeds require much more time and are slower to produce results. Economically, they are also less profitable. We have now grafted different varieties of saplings, and during the sapling-selling season, people mostly purchase grafted saplings because they bear fruit earlier. We have also grafted pomegranates, figs, and persimmons, while other saplings are propagated through cuttings.”
Meanwhile, agricultural experts say that grafting and propagation through cuttings not only improve plant quality, but also reduce farmers’ costs and are highly beneficial economically.
Kamran Rasouli, an agricultural expert, said in this regard,
“Grafting and cutting-propagation methods provide economic advantages for farmers because they enable the production of high-quality and early-bearing saplings. Grafted trees usually become productive sooner and produce fruit that meets market demand. Cuttings also make it possible to produce a large number of saplings at low cost, which is essential for the expansion of orchards.”
Meanwhile, officials from the Laghman Department of Agriculture say that nearly one million ornamental and fruit-bearing saplings have been cultivated in the province through seeds, grafting, and cuttings, allowing farmers to earn sufficient income. They added that the department supports farmers by providing technical assistance, equipment, and fertilizers.
Sardar Ziar, Press Officer of the Laghman Department of Agriculture, told Salam Watandar,
“More than one million grafted and cutting-grown saplings have been cultivated in this province. Technical consultations have been provided to private greenhouse owners, and training has been conducted on successful grafting, the selection of suitable saplings, and the production of high-quality cuttings. Capacity-building programs have also been implemented in this field.”
Agricultural experts believe that cultivating saplings through grafting and cutting propagation not only accelerates yield, but also plays an important role in increasing farmers’ income, saving time, and improving yield quality.
Reporter: Wasefullah Osmani
