In Takhar and Badakhshan provinces of Afghanistan, farmers have reported an increase in apple and grape production due to favorable spring rains. Despite the bumper harvests, they are confronted with declining prices and a lack of appropriate markets for their produce. The situation has led to calls for improved sales opportunities within domestic markets and the establishment of cold storage facilities to better preserve their crops.
Mirajuddin, a grape farmer from Takhar's Chah Ab district, expressed concerns over the falling prices and market inaccessibility, which could potentially discourage agricultural pursuits in the region. "We are happy with this year's grape harvest, but the inability to sell them is worrisome," he stated, highlighting the difficulties in transporting and selling grapes to nearby provinces.
Qudus, another local farmer, pointed out the negative impact of the lack of cold storage and the challenges in exporting grapes, which has led to a significant drop in prices. This has left farmers unable to cover their costs, with one ser (7 kg) of grapes selling for as little as 50 Afghanis.
In Badakhshan, the situation is similar for apple farmers. Rohullah, from the Baharak district, mentioned the recent popularity of apple farming due to its high yields but lamented the low prices due to limited market access and the absence of cold storage facilities. Mohammad Yaqoob from Kishim district echoed these sentiments, noting the minimal profits from this year's abundant apple harvest.
Economic experts and local academics have voiced concerns over the lack of support for farmers, particularly in terms of marketing and taxation. Fazlullah, a Takhar University professor, emphasized the need for the Taliban to provide better marketing opportunities and to build cold storage facilities to aid farmers. He also suggested tax exemptions to help farmers sell their produce at reasonable prices.
The reliance on the Pakistani market for agricultural exports poses additional challenges for Afghan farmers. Despite recent agreements between Pakistani officials and the Taliban to reduce import tariffs, skepticism remains regarding the long-term viability of these measures.
Source: 8am Media