Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Although cotton has been cultivated in many parts of Helmand, the farmers say that this year they did not get good harvests due to untimely rains and drought.
Dadullah, one of the farmers in Helmand province, says: "This year, there is no poppy, so a lot of cotton has been planted.”Cotton has a good price and market, but the farmers may not be able to meet their needs because this year's cotton yields are low."
Meanwhile, the officials of the Helmand Department of Agriculture and Livestock also confirm that more cotton has been planted in this province than last year, but this year's harvest is low due to plant diseases and drought.
Mohammad Nasim Muslim; Director of Extension of Helmand Department of Agriculture and Livestock says: "Cotton has been killed in 15,370 hectares of agricultural land in Helmand this year, which is more compared to last year. But due to plant diseases and drought, this year's harvest is low."
On the other hand, the officials of the Helmand Chamber of Commerce say that 35 cotton processing factories are currently operating in this province, including the Bost factory.
According to Gholam Yahya Pashtun, head of the Helmand Chamber of Commerce, if all these factories process this year's cotton, they can supply cottonseed oil to three provinces, konjara to eight provinces, and soap to ten provinces.
It is worth mentioning that this year not only in Helmand province but also in all provinces of the country due to unseasonal rains and drought, farmers' fields have suffered.