TALUQAN (PAN): Almost 85% economy of people in Takhar province depends on agriculture and livestock but lack of warehouses and suitable markets for the crops dealt considerable damage to the vital agro sector.
 
The northern Takhar province is situated with close proximity to Kunduz, Baghlan and Badakhsan provinces.
 
Agriculture:
 
Takhar has total 310,000 hectares irrigated and 620, 000 rain-fed lands with its farmers cultivate two crops annually.
 
The irrigated and rain-fed agriculture farms are situated in Khwaja Bahauddin, Rastaq, Yangi Qala, Khawaja Ghar, Dashti Qala, Kalfgan and Darqad.
 
Engineer Mohammad Salim Sai, head of Takhar irrigation and livestock department said agriculture and livestock sectors would further develop following large scale development and rehabilitation activities in the province.
 
In his chat with Pajhwok Afghan News, he said farmers were now adapted to the use of modern agriculture technology, which would multiply their crops.
 
Wheat, barley, grapes, apple, apricot, peach, pistachio, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and other kinds of fruit and vegetable produced in the province but the growers’ community was leading miserable life because of lack of development of the sector.
 
Head of agriculture and livestock department refined seeds and fertilizers were distributed among farmers each year because farmers could not afford to buy seeds and other agro related stuff.
 
The crop of onions and grapes was satisfactory the current year, enabling the farmers to overcome previous losses, he said.
 
Provincial farmers and officials expressed satisfaction over what they said bumper crop last year, saying managing enough water for irrigation and use of modern technology paved the way for large scale production.
 
Farmers estimated 10. 5 tones onions from half acre farm the current year but the same acre of land last year produced meager crop.
 
Sofi Zahir, a resident of Khatayan area in Taluqan city said: “I gained 10 tons of onion crops from half acre of land the current year while last year the same measure of land produced three and half tones of onions.
 
He warned farmers would lose their crops if appropriate measures were not taken for building stores to keep their crop protected.
 
Seven kilogram onions were being sold at the rate of 50 afghanis in the open market while the current price depreciation was caused due to none existence of where houses for the crops, he remarked.
 
Nazak Mir, another farmer from Taluqan city complained farmers were suffering badly due to nonexistence of warehouses.
 
He demanded construction of storage facilities so that crops should be kept safe and sold at appropriate time.
 
Ainullah, a grapes farmer said the prices of grapes were satisfactory the current year and his orchard produced good crops as compared to last year.
 
Farmers demanded the government to provide the growers community with insecticides and construct dams, canals, and protecting walls for better irrigation system.
 
They stressed further economic development of the province.
 
In the wake of abundant water, farmers of Khatayan and Farkhar areas in Talugan city demanded the officials to construct dams in order to overcome the shortage of water in the preceding months.
 
Onions, potatoes, wheat, rice, melon and water melon had been widely cultivated in the province.
 
Trade and investment:
 
Officials of provincial trade department said recent development in trade and commerce sectors left positive impact on the overall economic conditions of people.
 
Meharab-u-Din, head of commerce department said peace and stability in the province provided opportunity for investment and economic development in different sectors.
 
He said being agrarian province, Takhar produced hundreds tons of fresh and dry fruits which was being exported to foreign countries by national and international traders.
 
The dry fruits being exported included walnut, almond, pistachio and fresh fruit such as melon, water melon, apple, grapes, apricot, plum and cherries.
 
Head of commerce department went on to say every possible facility was provided to the business community in an attempt so that they could not face any problem while exporting their products.
 
Although, he pointed out the nonexistence of electricity and factories the future halting factor for the development of trade and commerce in the province.
 
He informed Takhar was a transit route which was direly needed electricity and establishment of industrial park for the process of exported and imported products.  
 
The governor office as well as residents of the province expressed concerns about trade and investment which they deemed necessary for progress of Takhar.
 
He demanded government should provide better security and explore ways to encourage private sector for investment in development project, a move that would help provide job opportunities in the province.
 
The delaying tactics in announcing a housing scheme for traders was yet another issue discouraging investment, he said, adding the AeKhanam Housing Scheme in Dashti Qala district near Tajikistan was expected to be launched but the construction work could not be started so far.
 
The housing scheme would multiply trade and economic activities and would serve as an economic corridor with Central Asian States.
 
SanatullahTaimor, spokesmen of Takhar governor assured every step would be taken to facilitate the business community.
 
Handicraft:
 
The handicraft sector where mainly women used to work was gaining momentum in Takhar. The handicraft work included sewing of fabric caps, Uzbeki coverlet and clothes.
Moreover, carpets, jackets, uniforms were other handicraft products produced by women, which were being exported to the foreign countries amid growing demand.
 
In addition, iron, copper, ice making and rice processing industries had been playing greater role in strengthening the economy of the province. 
 
Most of Takhar residents were skilled in weaving different kinds of stuff from animal herd.
 
Residents of Dasht-i-Qala district produced brands of coverlet and cap from cloth, which had growing demand locally as well as abroad.
Skilled manpower of the province weaves leather socks and overcoats in Thakar, which were popular throughout the country.
 
An exhibition of handicraft product was arranged by Women Empowerment Society following the financial assistance provided by the Embassy of the US in the province. The exhibition was arranged in an attempt to promote handicraft products.
 
Parven Arafi, head of Afghan Women Empowerment Organization said her organization was striving to encourage handicraft industry which would help stabilize families associated with industry.