KABUL, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of people recently visited orange groves in the Bati Kot district of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan to buy fresh oranges. This surge in orange sales has brought hope and optimism to local farmers, encouraging them to continue cultivating their orange orchards.

Forty-eight-year-old farmer Taj Mohammad is busy cleaning and packing oranges on his farm. "We pack 5,600 kg of oranges daily and send them to Kabul as well as locally," he told Xinhua optimistically.

Agriculture in Afghanistan suffered greatly due to decades of war. The newfound peace has allowed farmers to rebuild their livelihoods. "We are happy to have orange orchards in Afghanistan. It's a pleasure to harvest produce from our homeland. The income supports my family of 10," shared Taj Mohammad with optimism.

During the orange harvest season, Ayaz Ahmad relocated from Kunar province to Nangarhar. According to him, the orange orchards in this region are widely known in Afghanistan. Ayaz recently rented an orchard, which he estimates to be worth between 600,000 and 700,000 afghani (about 8,500 to 9,900 USD). "These oranges will sell out within a month," he said confidently.

Ayaz has hired 20 workers to help manage the orchard during Nangarhar's two-month harvesting season. "The oranges have a beautiful color and delightful aroma," he remarked. As a father of 12, Ayaz relies on this seasonal work to support his family. "This is my job every year, and it keeps my family's economy stable," he said with satisfaction.

The thriving orange orchards not only boost farmers' incomes but also attract visitors from across the country. People from other regions travel to Nangarhar to enjoy the groves.

Mohammad Ayub traveled miles to experience the orange gardens in the Bati Kot district. "We heard about the oranges grown here and wanted to see them for ourselves," he said, savoring the sweetness of freshly harvested fruit. "It's a joy to walk in these beautiful orchards, picking fresh, organic oranges with our own hands. The fruit is delicious, and the experience is unforgettable."

Officials from the Nangarhar Provincial Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock said in a statement that this year, farmers have harvested 77,000 kg of oranges. Enditem

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