A farmer harvests peaches in an orchard in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, May 3, 2026. Despite heavy rains and destructive floods across Afghanistan this year, the abundant precipitation has brought a silver lining for farmers as the harvest season shows stronger yields. In the fertile orchards of Surkh Rod district, eastern Nangarhar province, peach farmers were celebrating a bountiful season. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

SURKH ROD, Afghanistan, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Despite heavy rains and destructive floods across Afghanistan this year, the abundant precipitation has brought a silver lining for farmers as the harvest season shows stronger yields.

In the fertile orchards of Surkh Rod district, eastern Nangarhar province, peach farmers were celebrating a bountiful season.

Amid stacks of freshly harvested peaches, 49-year-old Bakhtullah oversaw workers sorting and packing the fruit. As the sole breadwinner for his family of 14, he finds deep fulfillment not only in sustaining his household but also in generating employment for others.

"In this orchard, 20 people (and I) work; those who do not own orchards work with me, earn money, and support their livelihoods," he said.

Bakht Alam, an orchard owner, beamed with satisfaction as he surveyed this year's peach harvest. Supporting a family of 10, he is relieved by the generous returns.

"The harvest is much better than in previous years -- about 3,500-4,000 cartons (5 kg each)," he said.

Alam attributed the superior quality of Surkh Rod peaches to favorable weather and abundant water. "We send the peaches from here to Kabul, and from there they are supplied to all provinces," he said.

Encouraged by strong yields and rising profits, many local residents are converting their lands into peach orchards.

"With each passing year, the number of orchards increases and so does the income. Our lives also improve," Alam told Xinhua.

For young seasonal laborers like 23-year-old Khan Agha, who recently returned from Pakistan, the peach harvest has provided vital seasonal employment. Working from early morning until evening, he supports a large family of 13.

Official figures from Nangarhar highlight the sector's growth: peaches are cultivated on 2,021.5 acres of land across 22 districts this year, yielding an estimated 11,320 metric tonnes, a modest increase from 11,223.34 metric tonnes produced on 1,991.5 acres last year. ■

A farmer harvests peaches in an orchard in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, May 3, 2026.

Despite heavy rains and destructive floods across Afghanistan this year, the abundant precipitation has brought a silver lining for farmers as the harvest season shows stronger yields.

In the fertile orchards of Surkh Rod district, eastern Nangarhar province, peach farmers were celebrating a bountiful season. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)