An Investigation Regarding the Problems of Peach Growers in Goshta District, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan

International Journal of Current Science Research and Review ISSN: 2581-8341 Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 DOI: 10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i11-40, Impact Factor: 8.048 IJCSRR @ 2025 www.ijcsrr.org 5841 *Corresponding Author: Ezatullah Shinwari Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 Available at: www.ijcsrr.org Page No. 5841-5848 An Investigation Regarding the Problems of Peach Growers in Goshta District, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan Ezatullah Shinwari1, Faridullah safi2, Hamidullah Hamid2 , Spinghar Hanifi2, Shahidullah Amn2, Tariq Safi2, Shafiqulla Himat3 1,2Teaching Assistant, Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University, Kunar province, Afghanistan 3Research schalar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education and communication, The university of Agriculture Peshawer ABSTRACT: This investigation aimed to identify and analyze the primary challenges faced by peach growers in District Goshta. A systematic interview schedule was employed to gather data, and data analysis was performed using Excel and SPSS version 20. his study explores the major agricultural challenges encountered by peach growers. These challenges include weak market linkages, limited access to modern farming techniques, pest and disease issues, inadequate storage facilities, insufficient transportation infrastructure, restricted market access, a lack of cold storage options, limited access to institutional credit, and the need for timely advisory services. According to the study, the Afghan government should investigate subsidizing expensive inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, high-quality varieties, and contemporary agricultural equipment so that they are available in the local market at the appropriate times and at fair prices. Additionally, extension workers should make frequent visits to ensure that the farming community is aware of the most recent farming techniques. KEYWORDS: Goshta District, Farmers Problems, Market Linkages, Plant Diseases. INTRODUCTION The peach (Prunus persica L.), a member of the Rosacea family, is believed to have originated in China around 2000 B.C. Today, it is cultivated in various temperate regions across the globel, specifically between latitudes 30° and 45° North and South. Peaches are highly nutrient-dense and rich in health-promoting phytochemicals. (Hans et al., 2020). After apples, peaches are the second most popular temperate fruit crop in the world. However, the production patterns of peach farming in the west seem to have lost direction, ultimately relegating this species to the category of secondary fruit crops. China currently produces most of the peaches consumed globally, primarily for domestic markets. (FAOSTAT, 2022). Strong antioxidants found in peaches, such as phenolic, carotenoids, and vitamin C, contribute to minimize oxidative stress and may offer protection against long-term conditions like cancer, heart disease, and neurological problems. Lack of improved cultivars, constant irrigation, poor soil health, poor pollination management, shifting climatic conditions, inadequate post-harvest management practices, unregulated markets, and insufficient storage and transportation infrastructures are the primary causes of the decreased peach productivity (ton/ha), which exacerbates the issues. (Lee et al., 2020). productivity remains low (5.17 t/ha) due to factors like poor irrigation, outdated crop varieties, soil degradation, pest and disease issues, and weak infrastructure. Horticulture occupies 13% of arable land, with 6.3% for orchards and 6.7% for vegetables, but only 25% of irrigated land is used for these crops (Yaqubi, 2021). According to a survey of 110 peach farmers in Amritsar, Punjab, the main challenges to implementing recommended peach growth techniques included a shortage of skilled labor, high costs and insufficient availability of inputs, and a lack of expertise. The study recommends expanding training and extension programs, particularly on pruning, fruit thinning, and pest and disease management, as the majority of growers had no contact with extension. (Kalra et al., 2006). OBJECTIVES Objectives of the study were to: 1. Determine the demographic characteristics of the peach growers in the study area. 2. Identify the challenges faced by peach producers in the research area. 3. Determine how these issues influence the socioeconomic status and production of peach growers in the research area. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review ISSN: 2581-8341 Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 DOI: 10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i11-40, Impact Factor: 8.048 IJCSRR @ 2025 www.ijcsrr.org 5842 *Corresponding Author: Ezatullah Shinwari Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 Available at: www.ijcsrr.org Page No. 5841-5848 4. Provide recommendations and ideas for future developments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Area The study was conducted in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, in October 2024. The Multi-Stage Sampling Technique was employed to select the sample. District Goshta, known for peach cultivation, was purposively chosen out of the twenty-two districts in the province. Six villages within District Goshta were then purposively selected for their peach cultivation. A list of 200 peach growers from these villages was obtained from the Agriculture Extension Department, and 60% of them (120 respondents) were proportionately allocated for data collection. Figure 1: Study area Map Data Collection Both primary and secondary data were gathered for the research collection. A pre-tested interview schedule was utilized for primary data collection, while government, semi-government, and unpublished sources provided secondary data. The procedure of gathering information involved establishing the interview schedule, conducting pre-tests, and interviewing the participants. In conclusion, the study combined secondary data from several official and informal sources with primary data obtained through interviews ensuring a thorough data collection procedure. Data process and analysis The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was utilized to analyze the primary data. The data entered into the program generated results presented as percentages and counts. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Socio-Economic characteristics of the Citrus Growers Age of the Peach Growers Age has a big impact on one's capacity to learn and understand new information and abilities as well as solve problems. Older farmers are less physically strong than younger farmers, but they have more experience. Figure 1 presents data regarding age of the respondents, 33% were in the age group between 41–50 years, 30% respondents were between 31-40 years, 25% up to 30 years and only 12% were from above were found in the age above 50 years, respectively. Compared to older farmers, younger farmers acquire and apply new technology more quickly. Our findings are comparable to those of Okwu et al. (2007) since most of the participants in the research region are ranging in age from 40 to 50, and were hesitant to embrace contemporary technology. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review ISSN: 2581-8341 Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 DOI: 10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i11-40, Impact Factor: 8.048 IJCSRR @ 2025 www.ijcsrr.org 5843 *Corresponding Author: Ezatullah Shinwari Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 Available at: www.ijcsrr.org Page No. 5841-5848 EDUCATION STATUS The most important component element in a country's development is thought to be education. Farmers who are illiterate are less likely to accept new technologies since it is harder to persuade them, whereas farmers who are literate quickly and easily adopt modern practices (Sanaullah et al., 2020). According to Figure 2 shows 42.5% of the peach respondent were found illiterate literate and 42.5% were illiterate and remaining 57.5% were literate. Out of total literate respondents, 34.2% had an educational level up to 12class and above, 10% were middle, 13.3% were primary level respectively. These findings are different from those of Muhammad et al. (2023), who stated that in the research region, the majority of respondents (69%) were illiterate. House hold size Food and other necessities may become limited due to the world's fast growing human population. Controlling the world's population is necessary to address all of these issues. The size of the home is important during the adoption process (Sanaullah et al., 2020). Data presented in Figure 3. That only 6% of the respondent had up to 4 members, 25% of the peach growers were between 48, 26% belong to the house hold size above 12 members and the majority 43% of the respondents belong to the 9-12 members. 30 36 40 14 25 30 33 12 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 up to 30 31-40 41-50 above 50 frequency percentage 51 16 12 41 42.5 13.3 10 34.2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Illiterate Primary Middle 12 and above Fequency Percentage Fig 1: Distribution of the Peach growers according to their Age Fig 2: Distribution of Peach growers based on Level of Literacy International Journal of Current Science Research and Review ISSN: 2581-8341 Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 DOI: 10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i11-40, Impact Factor: 8.048 IJCSRR @ 2025 www.ijcsrr.org 5844 *Corresponding Author: Ezatullah Shinwari Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 Available at: www.ijcsrr.org Page No. 5841-5848 Farming Experience illustrates the years of farming experience, 40% of peach producers had farming experience between 11-15 years, 28% of peach growers had farming experience between 6-10 years, 22% had above 15 years, and 10% of respondents had from up to 5 years respectively. Sanaullah et al. (2020) observed that 63% of sample respondents in the research region had worked in agriculture for the preceding 11–20 years, which is comparable to our findings. Total Cost of Production Table 1 presents data on the cost of peach producers in the study area. It reveals that 38.33% of peach growers stated that their cost per jerib was up to 30,000 AFG, and 34.16% said it was between 31,000 and 50,000 AFN. However, 27.5% of peach growers stated that their orchard costs exceeded 50,000 AFN per acre. Table 1. Distribution of Sample Respondents on the basis Total Cost of Peach Orchard villages Cost on peach orchard (AFN/Jerib) Total Up to 30000 31000-50000 Above 50000 No. % No. % No. % No. % Arkhai 8 38.09 6 28.57 6 28.57 21 17.5 Dag kale 9 37.50 9 37.50 7 29.16 24 20 Daman 6 33.33 5 27.78 5 27.78 18 15 Paraw 6 40.00 6 40.00 4 26.66 15 12.5 Ragha 10 41.66 8 33.3 6 25.00 24 20 Warsak 7 38.88 7 38.88 5 27.77 18 15 Total 46 38.33 41 34.16 33 27.5 120 100 Source: Field data survey 2023 7 30 52 31 6 25 43 26 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 up to 4 4 to 8 9 to 12 above 12 Frequency Percentage 12 34 48 26 10 28 40 22 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 up to 5 6 to 10 11 to 15 above 15 Frequency Percentage Fig 4: Distribution of Peach growers based on Farming Experience Fig 3: Distribution of Peach growers based on house hold size International Journal of Current Science Research and Review ISSN: 2581-8341 Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 DOI: 10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i11-40, Impact Factor: 8.048 IJCSRR @ 2025 www.ijcsrr.org 5845 *Corresponding Author: Ezatullah Shinwari Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 Available at: www.ijcsrr.org Page No. 5841-5848 Income of Peach Orchard According to data in Table 2, 58.33% of peach growers earned between 81,000 and 150,000 AFN per jerib from their peach orchard, while at least 5.8% earned up to 80,000 AFN per jerib. 37.5% of peach growers made more than 150,000 AFN per jerib. According to Khan et al. (2019), the average income value of peach orchards was 123125 rupees per ton before to farmers registering with MSFCs (model form services centers), and it increased to 165062 rupees per ton following MSFC registration. Table 2. Distribution of Respondents on the basis of Income from Peach Orchard AFN/acre villages Income from peach AFN/ Jerib Total Up to 80000 81000-150000 Above 150000 No. % No. % No. % No. % Arkhai 3 14.28 10 47.61 8 38.09 21 17.5 Dag kale 2 8.33 11 45.83 13 54.16 24 20 Daman 0 0.00 13 72.22 5 27.78 18 15 Paraw 0 0.00 8 53.33 7 46.66 15 12.5 Ragha 2 8.33 17 70.83 5 20.24 24 20 Warsak 0 0.00 11 61.11 7 38.88 18 15 Total 7 5.83 70 58.33 45 37.50 120 100 Source: Field data survey 2023 Main Problems that Farmers Are Facing Regarding Extension Staff Table 3 shows that 40.83% of peach growers identified a lack of extension field staff as their primary issue, while 20.83% pointed to uncooperative extension department staff as their main concern. Additionally, about 28.33% of peach growers noted that insufficient media attention on peach cultivation was their biggest challenge. The findings align with Saddam (2021), who reported that 47.1% of respondents identified a lack of extension personnel as a key issue for peach producers in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Similarly, Rabi et al. (2014) found that 51.6% of respondents faced challenges due to the unavailability of extension staff, while 48.3% cited a lack of cooperation from the staff as a major concern. Table 3. Main Problems Faced by Farmers in Obtaining Information from Extension Agent about Peach Cultivation villages Main problems that farmers are facing regarding extension staff Total Non-cooperative staff of Extension department Non-availability of Extension field staff Non-focus on peach orchard in electronic media No. % No. % No. % No. % Arkhai 4 19.00 10 47.61 7 33.33 21 17.5 Dag kale 8 33.30 8 33.33 8 33.33 24 20 Daman 6 33.33 6 33.33 6 33.33 18 15 Paraw 7 46.66 7 46.66 1 6.67 15 12.5 Ragha 7 29.16 11 45.83 6 25.00 24 20 Warsak 5 27.78 7 38.89 6 33.33 18 15 Total 37 30.83 49 40.83 34 28.33 120 100 Source: Field data survey 2023 Input availabilities Data regarding production problems of the peach growers in the study area were presented in Table 4, show that 44.2% peach producers reported high price of the inputs as main problem in peach production, while 32.5% were reported lack of finance problems by peach growers. About 23.3% peach growers faced the irrigation problem. Our findings were quite comparable to those International Journal of Current Science Research and Review ISSN: 2581-8341 Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 DOI: 10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i11-40, Impact Factor: 8.048 IJCSRR @ 2025 www.ijcsrr.org 5846 *Corresponding Author: Ezatullah Shinwari Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 Available at: www.ijcsrr.org Page No. 5841-5848 of Rabi et al. (2014), who reported that 38.3% of respondents cited a shortage of irrigation water, 36.6% cited a lack of funding, and the remaining 25% cited high input costs as the primary issues affecting peach producers in the research region. Table 4. Distribution of Respondents on the Basis of Problems of Input Availabilities villages Problems of input availabilities Total Lack of Finance High price of input s Lack of irrigation water No. % No. % No. % No. % Arkhai 11 52.38 10 47.61 0 0.00 21 17.5 Dag kale 3 12.50 4 16.66 17 70.83 24 20 Daman 3 16.66 4 22.22 11 61.11 18 15 Paraw 6 40.00 9 60.00 0 0.00 15 12.5 Ragha 8 33.33 16 66.67 0 0.00 24 20 Warsak 8 53.33 10 66.67 0 0.00 18 15 Total 39 32.50 53 44.16 28 23.33 120 100 Source: Field data survey 2023 Marketing Problems Illustrate data in Table 5, Peach growers face key marketing challenges, mainly due to the lack of cold storage (59.16%), transport issues (24.2%), and limited market information (16.6%). Peach marketing faces main challenges such as inadequate storage, limited packaging, delayed payments, low prices, and middlemen monopolies (Alamgir, 2019). Rabi et al. (2014) highlighted cold storage shortages (53.3%) and packaging-related disease issues (46.6%) as major concerns. Addressing these issues is essential for improving production and reducing poverty. Table 5. Problems Faced During Marketing of Peach Fruits by the Peach Growers villages Problems faced during marketing Total Transportation Problem Lack of Cold Storage Lack of sufficient Information Regarding Marketing Intelligence No. % No. % No. % No. % Arkhai 7 33.33 10 47.61 4 19.04 21 17.5 Dag kale 5 20.83 15 62.50 4 16.67 24 20 Daman 5 27.78 11 61.11 2 11.11 18 15 Paraw 3 20.00 9 60.00 3 20.00 15 12.5 Ragha 5 20.83 14 58.33 5 20.83 24 20 Warsak 4 22.22 12 66.66 2 11.11 18 15 Total 29 24.16 71 59.16 20 16.66 120 100 Source: Field data survey 2023 Peach Diseases The majority of biotic and abiotic diseases affect peaches globally. According to Table 6, 47.5% of respondents reported experiencing leaf curl disease. Additionally, 18.38% mentioned having scab disease in their peach orchards, while 34.16% reported brown rot disease. These diseases result in significant losses for the crop. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review ISSN: 2581-8341 Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 DOI: 10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i11-40, Impact Factor: 8.048 IJCSRR @ 2025 www.ijcsrr.org 5847 *Corresponding Author: Ezatullah Shinwari Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 Available at: www.ijcsrr.org Page No. 5841-5848 Table 6. Distribution of Respondents on the basis of Peaches Diseases Problem villages Peaches diseases problems Total Leaf curl Brown rot Scab disease No. % No. % No. % No. % Arkhai 10 47.61 8 38.09 3 14.28 21 17.5 Dag kale 13 54.16 7 29.16 4 16.66 24 20 Daman 9 50.00 6 33.33 3 16.67 18 15 Paraw 4 26.66 7 46.66 4 26.66 15 12.5 Ragha 11 45.83 8 33.33 5 20.83 24 20 Warsak 10 55.55 5 27.77 3 16.67 18 15 Total 57 47.50 41 34.16 22 18.38 120 100 Source: Field data survey 2023 Pest of Peaches Table 7. The data regarding insect and pest attacks on peach orchards. indicates that a significant majority of respondents (94.16%) identified fruit flies as the primary pest affecting these orchards. In contrast, only 5.83% of respondents reported aphids as another pest. This information highlights that fruit flies are the main threat to peach fruit. Table 7. Distribution of Respondents on the Basis of insects/pest of Peaches villages Insect/pest problems Total Aphids Fruit fly No. % No. % No. % Arkhai 1 4.76 20 95.23 21 17.5 Dag kale 3 12.50 21 87.50 24 20 Daman 2 11.11 16 88.89 18 15 Paraw 0 0.00 15 100 15 12.5 Ragha 1 4.16 23 95.83 24 20 Warsak 0 0.00 18 100 18 15 Total 7 5.83 113 94.16 120 100 Source: Field data survey 2023 CONCLUSION The study highlights that the peach growers in the study area face a variety of challenges, including issues with market access and production constraints. The majority of the issues included the absence of field services provided by Agriculture Extension, a lack of irrigation water, a lack of income, a lack of cold storage facilities, transportation issues, inadequate marketing information, the distance between the market and the consumer, and infestations of pests and diseases. The productivity and profitability of peach growers in District Goshta are affected by these various issues. The Researchers must suggest measures regarding control disease and pest problems, provide training, workshop, field visit, field days with result demonstration create awareness to control pest and disease. provide subsidized agricultural inputs at fair prices in local markets, fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, high-quality seeds, loans, and modern farming equipment application improve farmers agricultural productivity. REFERENCES 1. Akbar, F., Khan, H., Khadim, N., Rahman, A. U., Ullah, R., Ahmad, N., ... & Ke, C. (2023). Current status of peach leaf curl disease in Pakistan and future management strategies. 2. Alamgir, M.S. 2019. An investigation into the role of extension services pertaining to peach production in Malakand Division Unpublished Msc (Hons) thsis. Dep# of Agricultural Extension Education and Communication. The University of Agriculture Peshawar. pp.34. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review ISSN: 2581-8341 Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 DOI: 10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i11-40, Impact Factor: 8.048 IJCSRR @ 2025 www.ijcsrr.org 5848 *Corresponding Author: Ezatullah Shinwari Volume 08 Issue 11 November 2025 Available at: www.ijcsrr.org Page No. 5841-5848 3. Cantin, C. M., Moreno, M. A., & Gogorcena, Y. (2009). Evaluation of the antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds, and vitamin C content of different peach and nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] breeding progenies. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 57(11), 4586-4592. 4. Cevallos-Casals, B. A., Byrne, D., Okie, W. R., & Cisneros-Zevallos, L. (2006). Selecting new peach and plum genotypes rich in phenolic compounds and enhanced functional properties. Food chemistry, 96(2), 273-280. 5. FAOSTAT Database. 2022. Available at: http://www.fao.org/faostat/. (Accessed date, 22nd January 2023). 6. Hans, M., M. A. Shah and R. Bansal. 2020. Peach. Antioxidants in fruits: Properties and health benefits. Pp. 449-459. 7. Kalra, R., Singh, B., & Dhillon, G. S. (2006). Constraints faced by the peach growers of Punjab, 21(35), 99-105. 8. Khalil, I., Idrees, M., Rabi, F., Rehman, S., & Bostan, N. (2014). An investigation into the problems of peach growers in district swat. Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science, 9(12), 427-34. 9. Lee, D., and H. Mohammad. 2020. Descriptive analysis of the Afghanistan apple farming system. Journal of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. 32(3): 193-204. 10. Luo, C. X., Schnabel, G., Hu, M., & De Cal, A. (2022). Global distribution and management of peach diseases. Phytopathology Research, 4(1), 30. 11. Muhammadi, A. M., H. Mashir and S. S. Habib. 2023. Potato waste reduction mechanisms: A case study in Abshar District of Panjshir province, Afghanistan. Journal of Research in Applied Science and Biotechnology, 2(1): 109-114. 12. Okawa, O. J., A. A. Kuku and J. I. Aba. 2007. An assesment of use of radio in agricultural information dissemination: A case study of radio Benae in Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2 (1) : 14-18. 13. Rabi, F., S. Ur Rehman, and N. Bastan. 2014. An investigation into the problems of Peach Growers in District Swat. Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science, 9(12): 427-434. 14. Sanaullah, U. Pervaiz, S. Ali, M. Fayaz and A. Khan. 2020. The impact of improved farming practices on maize yield in federally administered tribal areas, Pakistan. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture. 36(1): 348-358. 15. YAQUBI, Q., & AK, B. E. (2021). Fruit production and present situation in Afghanistan. In Proceedings Book of 1st International Göbeklitepe Agriculture Congress (pp. 732-736). Cite this Article: Shinwari, E., safi, F., Hamid, H., Amn, S., Safi, T., Himat, S. (2025). An Investigation Regarding the Problems of Peach Growers in District Goshta. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 8(11), pp. 5841-5848. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47191/ijcsrr/V8-i11-40