Badghis Pistachios Hold High Economic Potential, Need Investment: Experts

Pistachio forests in Badghis province have shrunk from more than 90,000 hectares to less than 40,000 hectares, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Agricultural expert Abdul Salam stated that tens of thousands of hectares of pistachio forests have been restored in recent years, with millions of saplings planted through government and international support. Economic analyst Abdul Ghani Omari and orchard owner Ramazan Suleimani emphasized the high quality of Badghis pistachios and their potential to boost the local economy, create jobs, and reduce poverty if investments are made in restoration, standard orchards, processing facilities, and market access.

Challenges include a lack of proper forest management, traditional harvesting methods, insufficient investment, illegal logging, and limited infrastructure and marketing, according to farmer Ghulam Haidar and the experts.

Rahimuddin Rahimi, spokesperson for the Badghis governor, said local officials have launched awareness campaigns and measures to prevent illegal logging, yielding positive results. Experts and farmers called for increased government support to fully realize the sector's export potential and benefit thousands of families.