Afghan farmers work at a potato farm in Bamyan province, central Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2018. The picturesque Bamiyan province with its beautiful landscape has been a popular tourist destination in the conflict-ridden Afghanistan over the past decades, and growing potatoes in recent years has added to Bamiyan's natural charm. (Courtesy: Xinhua/Noor Azizi)
Afghan Bamiyan people turn to potato-growing to make a living
The picturesque Bamiyan province with its beautiful landscape has been a popular tourist destination in the conflict-ridden Afghanistan over the past decades, and growing potatoes in recent years has added to Bamiyan's natural charm.
Abdul Wahab Mohammadi, director of the agriculture department in the provincial capital of Bamiyan city"
"Growing potatoes in the central Bamiyan province has become the source of income for the more than 60,000 farmers here."The mountainous Bamiyan, according to its dwellers, is a natural prison, a reference to its geographical location which is surrounded by mountains and rocky hilltops.
An Afghan farmer carries a sack of potatoes in Bamyan province, central Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2018. (Courtesy: Xinhua/Noor Azizi)
The region has arable lands, streams, pastures and plateaus, suitable for growing potatoes and animal husbandry.
Afghan farmers carry sacks of potatoes in Bamyan province, central Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2018. (Xinhua/Noor Azizi) (Courtesy: Xinhua/Noor Azizi)
Abdul Wahab Mohammadi:
"Farmers in Bamiyan are expected to harvest 340,000 to 350,000 tons of potatoes this year, although the drought has affected the potato cultivation."
Afghan farmers unload sacks of potatoes to a warehouse in Bamyan province, central Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2018. (Courtesy: Xinhua/Noor Azizi)
"Potato plantations have changed our living conditions over the past 10 years.”Bamiyan resident Ghulam Ali
“Bamiyan has a cold climate which is not suitable for growing rice or wheat, but it's suitable for growing potatoes.”
“Presently, the price of one sir (7 kg) of potatoes is about 80 afghani (1.06 U.S. dollar) at the local market.”He harvested about 750 sir (5,250 kg) of potatoes, and is hopeful to earn about 800 U.S. dollars at his doorstep this year.
While the insurgency-battered country produces much of the world's opium, Bamiyan remains poppy-free over the past decade and half.
To encourage potato cultivation and find market for the product, the provincial administration has been holding "Potato blossom Agricultural festival" annually to put on display a variety of potatoes and potato products.
An Afghan farmer works at a potato farm in Bamyan province, central Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2018. (Courtesy: Xinhua/Noor Azizi)