Fruit garden projects in pipeline in Samangan

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock plans to create hundreds of new fruit gardens in northern Samangan province, to help enhance economic conditions of the people, officials said on Saturday.

The cash-crop gardens would be established over 250 acres of land in Aibak, the provincial capital, Royee Doab, Hazrat Sultan and Khurm-i-Khurasan districts, Ahmad Fahim Jabari, project coordinator, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Funded by the World Bank, the agri project was estimated to cost $11,061.9 (550,000 afs), largely aimed at promoting gardening and uplifting economic status of local farmers.

Meanwhile, Majeedullah Khair Khwa, an agriculture department official, said the proposed fruit gardens included apple, almond, grape, cherry, apricot, peach and plum.

He added an amount of 8,000 afghanis would be spent on each acre of garden, while farmers contributing 1,700 afs.

Abdul Aziz, a gardener in the Charmagar area on the outskirts of Aibak, confirmed receiving almond saplings, saying he planted the trees in coordination with agriculture officials.