Farmers, Traders Worried About Lack Of Fruit Market
As the harvest season for fresh fruit arrives, farmers and exporters say they lack domestic markets and are limited in selling fruit abroad in a cost-effective way.
Security challenges and the influx of imported fruit, especially watermelon from Pakistan, have affected the local market for fruit and have kept the prices low, leaving farmers with no choice but to sell at prices so low they do not cover costs.
One instance, according to farmers, is the watermelon yield in Farah, which faces the same fate every year. Last year, farmers threw their products on the roads as they were left unsold due to lower prices and no storage facilities in the province. The farmers and investors said they fear a similar fate for the watermelon this year, too.
When in season, seven kilograms of watermelon is sold for 50 Afs in Kabul markets ($0.60), which farmers say is not enough to cover the expenses on their farms.
One major setback for the fruit exporters has been the pause of the government-subsidized air routes, commonly known as air corridors. The operation of the air corridors was stopped in mid-March.
On May 14, officials said the air routes will soon become operational as President Ashraf Ghani has approved a proposal of the Ministry of Finance allocating 168 million Afs (over $2 million) for the project.
Czech Businessmen Willing To Invest In Afghanistan
January 12, 2021 - 16:00Czech businessmen are keen to invest in more than 100 projects in Afghanistan and have submitted their investment plans to the Afghan gover...
Herat Farmers Criticize Saffron Price Reduction
January 18, 2021 - 13:03According to the Herat Department of Agriculture, saffron cultivation has increased in the province this year. Alt...
Advances In The Implementation Of The TAPI Project
January 18, 2021 - 13:45According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan: Some progress has been made in the implementation of the TAPI project and the...