30% decline in Samangan wheat production

Agriculture department officials in Samangan province have reported a 30% decline in this year’s wheat production.

“Last year, 133,000 hectares of rainfed and irrigated lands produced 100,000 tons of wheat. However, this year, the yield stands at 70,000 tons from 90,000 hectares of rainfed lands and 12,000 hectares of irrigated lands. We are seeing a 30% decrease in wheat production,” said Director of Agriculture Department in Samangan, Noor Mohammad Amir.

Inadequate rainfall during this year is cited as the main factor behind the fall in wheat yield. Hazrat Sultan district of the province has reportedly experienced the highest reduction in wheat production this year.

Meanwhile, farmers in Samangan province have called on the government to distribute to them improved seeds and fertilizers.
The province, however, is witnessing an increase in the yield of other agricultural products.