2,500 Hectares of Pistachio Orchards Established in Herat

Approximately 2,500 hectares of pistachio orchards have been established across different parts of Herat province, with further expansion under way.

Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, head of agricultural affairs at the Herat Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, said pistachio cultivation suits the province's climatic conditions and requires relatively little water. He noted that the crop has gained popularity among farmers amid recent droughts.

Pistachio trees typically begin producing fruit after about five years. Some orchards in the districts of Pashtun Zarghun, Kohsan and Oba have recently started yielding harvests, according to Ahmadi.

Experts cited in the reporting highlighted the crop's benefits for water efficiency, income generation and adaptation to climate change. Farmers reported promising growth and said orchard-grown pistachios sell for around 750 afghanis per kilogram, while wild mountain pistachios fetch about 1,000 afghanis per kilogram.

The expansion reflects broader efforts by local farmers to shift toward drought-resistant crops that can sustain agricultural activity in the face of water scarcity.