FAIZABAD (PAN): The people of the volatile Badakhshan have expressed satisfaction over implementation of development projects in the province but the farmers’ community complained about the dilapidated condition of roads. 
 
Badakhshan is one of the boarder provinces of the northeast, sharing borders with Pakistan, China and Tajikistan.
 
Agriculture:
 
Agriculture authorities said 80% people’s life and economy depend on agriculture and livestock and in the past few years government paid more attention to develop the sectors.
 
Engineer Muhammad Alam Almi, head of Badakhshan agriculture said, the province has 66,000 hectare irrigated lands and 200,000 hectare rain-fed lands which most of the time farmers get the crops in two seasons.
 
Raghha, Argo, Drayam, Tishakan, Shar Buzarg, Kasham, Arghanchkhwa, Khwahan, Lower Yaftal and some parts of other districts of Kohistan are rain-fed areas.
 
The agriculture head said farmers received essential help and grounds have been paved for their products preservation and marketing. He said they have provided farmer with refined seeds and fertilizers during wheat and rice season.
 
He said last week, more than 52,000 farmers of 11 boarder districts, got refined seeds and fertilization, 25 kilogram wheat, 25 kilogram black fertilizer and 50 kilogram white fertilizer were distributed free.
 
Pointing to Worduj district, he said, during the past years farmers did not receive any help due to insecurity and that is the first time Worduj farmers get this privilege.
 
According to Alami, thousands of tones of agriculture products such as wheat, grain, grapes, apple, almond, pistachio, walnuts, sesame, apricot, onion, potato, tomato, okra, snake cucumber, carrot and other fruits and vegetables have been gathered yearly, but these products have not fulfill people needs due to their expenses and desires.  
 
Badakhshan agriculture head said, among 28 districts of Badakhshan, only in Kasham paddy rice/Shali/camlet has been cultivated. In other districts due to shortages of water they only cultivated wheat. 
 
Farmers, gardeners and those associated with the occupation of livestock, emphasize on building of water dams and strengthen of agriculture economic. They demanded market for their products cold storages for preserving fruits and vegetables and their process.
 
Mir Haidar, a gardener from Khwahan district who has eight acres land said, he cannot sell his products in time due to dilapidated condition of roads. He considered lack of market access for their products as a major problem. During the past years, around 100 tones fruits and vegetables have been rotten or have been sold on a throw away prices, adding that “government should build roads and find markets.”
 
Agriculture official said they have been trying to take steps to create awareness among farmer to enhance their agriculture product. They demanded the government to assist them in building roads, channels and water dams.
The main products of Badakhshan are rice, wheat, grain, millet and beans with mountains almonds in mountainous regions of the province.
 
Business and Investment:
A number of traders while expressing their satisfaction over flourishing business and their positive impact on people’s life, said, due to relative security local and foreign investors have invested in the province that paved ground for export of dried and fresh fruits.
 
Qurban Ali, a trader from Faizabad who export Qaraqul skin said, current security situation is good and day by business affairs are getting momentum.
 
On this note, he confirms that business men have not been encouraged by government, but emphasized local administration cooperation regarding their problems.
“If government paved ground and provide suitable environment for private sector and security get better then people’s economic will be strengthened.”
Rahman Baig, a businessman from Kasham district said if the facilities such as lowering the price of transits papers and residential town have been provided for business men and avoid taking money illegally on check points.
 
Abdul Maroof Rasikh, a spokesperson of Badakhshan province said, the province is a better environment for business. Badakhshan businessmen transport their agriculture products from Takhar-Kunduz roads to Mazar-i-Sharif, Kabul and other provinces.
 
He went on to say that they would solve businessmen’s problems in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
Handicrafts:
 
Officials of department of women affairs of Badakhshan said during the past years they have paid more attention to enhance women economic situation, adding they have lunched professional projects and good marketing for women’s handicrafts.
Zafnoon Hisam Natiq, head of Badakhshan women said, local non-government organizations have promised to help women in terms of their self sufficient and good marketing for their products especially handicrafts.
Handicraft of the province include Elche’s weaving, Burlap weaving, rug weaving, Chakman or Shekpen weaving (a kind of upper garment), Qaqmah weaving, leather shoes weaving or embroidered shoes, embroidery, needle works (Khamak), architecture, clay, carpentry, goldsmith, smithy, copper smith, silk fabrics, wool-spinning, or coat embroidery, clay dishes, Ice-making, flour fabric.
Head of women of Badakhshan said, no one has found market for their products as it has good market in the regions. According to him, steps should be taken to enhance women products and find good market for their handicraft.