Date palm farming in Afghanistan explained

Date palm farming in Afghanistan is less than 10 years old, although it existed since ancient time.^[1] It has the potential to become huge again in the future because the country now has around 40 million people who all consume the fruit,^[2] especially during the month of Ramadan. The country currently imports nearly all date products from Iran, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and other South Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

Afghan date farming exists in the provinces of Nangarhar, Kandahar, Helmand, Nimruz, Farah and a few others.^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]} Various types of dates are produced in the country.^[10] In the past, Afghans have been establishing date farms in neighboring Iran and Pakistan. The quality of Afghan dates has yet to be tested but preliminary reports indicate that Afghanistan's climate is very suitable for producing good quality dates.^{[11] [12]} A confirmation of this would naturally make the product reach consumers in China, countries of Central Asia, Russia, and beyond. This is especially so after the completion of the new dams in the country.

The following are the major date farms in Afghanistan:

• Agricultural farm of Al-Gharrafa institute in Farah province, which has over 3,000 date trees.^{[13] [14]}
• Farm-e-Hada in Nangarhar province,^[15] which has around 2,700 date trees.^[16]

See also

• Economy of Afghanistan
• Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock

External links

• (a special local report in Dari language about the Al Gharrafa farm in Farah province), July 18, 2023

Notes and References

1. Web site: BOST – Encyclopaedia Iranica . iranicaonline.org . December 15, 1989 . 2024-04-26 . The Arab geographers of the first Islamic centuries reported both commercial and intellectual activity in the town and commented on the produce of the surrounding area, which was planted with fruit trees, vineyards, and palms..
2. Web site: Date Consumption Per Capita . Helgi Library . 2024-04-07.
3. News: Farm-i-Hada date orchard yield estimated 22 tonnes this year . Pajhwok Afghan News . 18 July 2023 . 2024-04-07.
4. Web site: Constructions of 25 Acres of Date Orchards began in Kandahar . Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock . November 29, 2020 . 2024-04-07.
5. News: Date orchards being planted in Helmand . Pajhwok Afghan News . 31 January 2023 . 2024-04-07.
6. News: Afghan province begins push to discourage poppy cultivation . Arab News . 28 July 2018 . 2024-04-07.
7. News: Helmand date trees produce 'significant' yield after grafting . Pajhwok Afghan News . 15 July 2018 . 2024-04-09.
8. Web site: IOFS Explores Agricultural Opportunities in West Afghanistan . Islamic Organisation for Food Security . 18 August 2023 . 2024-04-07.
9. Web site: 100 Acres of date grove in Farah . Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock . September 16, 2020 . 2024-04-07.
10. Web site: Khari Foods . 2024-04-07.
11. News: UN helps Helmand farmers replace poppies with dates . SalaamTimes . 17 February 2023 . 2024-04-07.
12. News: How Afghans Are Turning Balochistan Green . Dawn News . November 20, 2020 . 2024-04-07.
13. Web site: Agriculture . AL-Gharrafah Foundation (AGF) . 2024-04-23.
14. , November 27, 2021.
15. , October 1, 2023.
16. (@5:50), September 16, 2023.