Almond produce in need of good market

Pajhwok
By Muhammad Barat

AIBAK - The produce of almond has showed good increase in the northern Samangan province this year as compared with the yesteryear, but the farmers are worried about unavailability of adequate market for the fruit.

Jamaludin, planning officer of the Provincial Agriculture Department, told Pajhwok Afghan News the produce of almond might touch 8,100 tons worth $32 million this year, as compared with the last year produce that was 6,753 tons worth $27 million.

He said suitable climate was the major reason for increase in almond produce in the province. He said 1,100 hectors of almond gardens were in Aibak, capital of Samangan.

However, the farmers and traders of almond in the province are complaining of the poor market for their precious produce.

Sur Gul, 70, a farmer of Larghan village of Aibak, said: "I gained 1,400 kilograms of almond from 400 almond trees, but I sell them very cheaper to the traders due to low market."

The old farmer said he had pinned great hopes with the produce as he was supporting his big family with money earned through almond.

He said prices of almond varies with quality as per kg of Sitar Baie was sold for 300 afghanis others as Maroji, Kaghazi and Sandoqi were sold for less prices.

Haji Zia, another farmer, said almond of Samangan was the best in the country and its produce had increased as compared with the yesteryear, but the prices were low.

Haji Ghulam Haider, one of the local traders, said they sold huge quantity of almond to traders, who sold it to merchants of other provinces or exported it to neighbouring Pakistan and India. He said 70% of the almonds of this province were exported.

Ghulam Nabi, head of the economic commission in the province, admitted the problems of poor market for fruit. He termed Samangan almond as one of the best producing item of the country.

He said thousands of Samangan almonds were exporting to Pakistan, India, China and UAE. He said they were trying to find markets for almond.