Swat is not just famous for its snow-capped peaks and open fields, but also for the lush and fresh fruit that grows in the district’s numerous orchards.
Apricots are especially popular and are grown in huge quantities in the orchards in Swat’s Barikot. Unfortunately, the trees that bear the fruit are rapidly decreasing.
“Typically, one orchard of apricot takes about five to six years to mature and bear fruit,” a farmer said. “When this fruit goes to the market, it is sold at half the price of the total cost incurred in all these years.
“This results in numerous losses for us,” he said. According to residents and farmers in the district, the government’s promises for support and aid always remain unfulfilled.
“These orchards require a lot of money and care such as pesticide sprays, fertilisers and electricity bills are expensive,” another local explained, adding that the revenue made from selling the fruit is not enough to meet the expenses incurred in growing it.
Due to this, farmers are opting for other crops and produce that will help them meet their expenses, endangering apricot production.
from SAMAA https://ift.tt/2C2XiGO
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