The Directorate of Agriculture and Irrigation of Herat reported that this year the yield of fresh fruits in the province has increased by ten percent.

According to officials of this directorate, the reasons for the increase in fresh fruit harvests are the abundant water from the Salma Dam and the control of plant diseases.

Based on statistics from the Herat Directorate of Agriculture, compared to last year, the harvest of fresh fruits in this province has increased by ten percent.

Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, head of promotion at the Directorate of Agriculture and Irrigation in Herat, told TOLOnews: "Fruit production has increased by five to ten percent this year compared to last year. One reason is the absence of diseases and pests, and another is that people have become more interested in gardening."

On the other hand, several gardeners complain about the lack of market. They say the low price of fresh fruits in domestic markets is concerning. Furthermore, there is no broad opportunity to export fresh fruits abroad.

Abdul Hakim, a farmer in Herat, said: "There is a lot of fruit of every kind, but no market. We work hard all year to sell our fruits at better prices, but there is no market, and there are no cold storage facilities. Sometimes, the selling price doesn't even cover the costs."

Rahmatullah, a resident of Herat, suggested a solution: "We should use domestic products and crops; this way we can support our farmers and gardeners."

The non-export of fresh fruits abroad is said to be one of the main reasons for the decrease in their prices in domestic markets.

According to the Herat Chamber of Agriculture, trade restrictions and challenges between Afghanistan and regional countries and the lack of visa issuance to Afghan traders have prevented the export of fresh fruits.

Bashir Ahmad Bahaduri, head of the Herat Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock, told TOLOnews: "Fresh fruits ripen simultaneously; when all kinds of fruits enter the market at once, the price drops. Moreover, there is no export, and fruits are only consumed domestically; hence, they are cheap."

According to statistics from the Herat Directorate of Agriculture and Irrigation, more than 400,000 tons of fresh fruits are expected to be harvested this year. More than 27,000 hectares of fresh fruit orchards, including apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, and other fruits, exist in the city and districts of Herat.