Maidan Wardak province tomato farmers say they have no choice but sell their tomato harvest at throw-away prices due to the closure of the Torkham gate. They claim they are unable to cover the input costs and implore the government to find a suitable market for their agricultural produce and save them from incurring losses.
One grower said he hoped the government would support its farmers by purchasing their products at a reasonable price. Without naming any, he said some neighboring countries used to close their borders every year when the crops of Afghan farmers ripen and as a result they suffer huge financial losses. “When harvest time of our vegetables arrives, the neighboring countries close their borders and it causes losses to Afghans.”
The farmer also suggested the government should set up tomato paste producing factories in the country in order to create market for farmers and prevent the import of tomato paste from abroad.
Source: pajhwok.com
