PESHAWAR: Farmers in Jamrud, Landi Kotal, and Bara tehsils of Khyber district have reported a bumper onion crop this year, crediting their success to the use of quality seeds and improved farming methods.
Speaking to the private newspaper, farmers said they used the Swat-1 onion seed variety provided by the agriculture department, which gave them a high yield and better profits in vegetable markets of Khyber and Peshawar.
Ahmad Shah, a farmer from Jamrud, shared his experience, saying he harvested over 300 mounds (around 15,000 kg) of onions from just two acres of land. “This is the biggest yield I’ve ever had,” he said happily.
Mohibullah, another grower, said the new variety not only gave larger onions but also had a better taste. The extra income from the harvest helped ease his family’s financial burdens.
Agriculture department official Abid Shah confirmed the success of the Swat-1 seed trial, which was planted over 230 acres in the first year. He said the variety had greatly increased onion production and income for local farmers over the past two years.
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He added that even small plots, as little as 10 to 15 marlas, showed good results when farmers used modern farming methods. The department also arranged regular training sessions on disease control, proper sowing and harvesting times, and timely irrigation.
The official noted that the new onion variety could stay fresh longer if stored properly at natural room temperature, which benefits both farmers and consumers. He said that in previous years, onion crops often failed due to fungus and over-irrigation, especially before farmers were introduced to certified seeds and new techniques.
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He said the use of quality seed and better awareness among farmers had made a big difference in their harvests and earnings.
Meanwhile, the Planning and Development Department has started registering farmers in the Bara region under its Rural Economic Transformation Project. The aim is to boost agriculture and help farmers become financially stable.
Officials said registration points had been set up in several areas and encouraged farmers to register and benefit from the government’s support. They called it a “golden opportunity” for farmers to improve their livelihoods.
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