Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Lashker Gah (BNA) Some of the elders in Helmand province believe that cultivation of cotton is a good alternative for poppy in the province.
Abdullah Helmandwal a member of Helmand’s provincial council said, adding that cotton cultivation was famous in Helmand, Kandahar and Farah in the past and more than 26000 hectares of lands had been cultivated.
However, he noted that three decades of war had badly affected cotton cultivation.
Barikzai the head of Nad Ali District council also said that cotton cultivation can replace poppy in the province.
Meantime, Hajji Shirin the director of cotton factory in Helmand said that 2500 tons cotton will be produced in Lashkar Gah this year, saying government’s attention towards cotton cultivation would enable farmers to abandon poppy cultivation in the province.
He also said he has yet to receive a loan of 3 million Afghanis form the finance ministry to support cotton plantation.
