Economic Efficiency of Lapis Lazuli Route on Marketing of Agricultural Commodities in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Abstract

The study on the Economic efficiency of the Lajwar Highway (Lapis Lazuli Route­­) erection project on the Marketing of Agricultural commodities, Helmand Province - Afghanistan was accomplished in the Province of Helmand in 2018. This Province is the largest by area, which covers 58,584 square kilometers (20,000 sq mi) area. An effort has been made in this study, to examine the returns of the current Agricultural production. The specific objectives of the study are to find out the Profitability, comparison, gross returns, and net returns of Agricultural Production of the Province in the Local market and Global Market. Helmand province was selected purposively, because it has a maximum area, under various crop production. The primary data for the research was collected from the Department of Agriculture, irrigation and livestock, Helmand. It is observed that some of the fruits like grape, pomegranate, almond, and fig have highly profitable income in the local market, and among these pomegranate, grape, and almond profit is maximum with net income of Af. 158600, Af. 98580 and Af. 91900 respectively. It is conforming to the findings if these fruits are exported to European countries will obtain high returns. In the Global market grape and pomegranate returns are quite sufficient and highly commercial with the net income of Af. 346900 and Af. 642600 per Jerib (0.2 Hectare) individually.  Almond and dried figs economically play an essential role either in the overseas market with a net return of Af. 278203 and Af. 352370 per Jerib (0.2 hectares), which will positively increase the income of producers of the province.