Productive Sectors Killa Abdullah
The economy of Killa Abdullah is multi-sectoral in nature. In Tehsil Gulistan agriculture is dominant and flourishing. Horticulture is the leading sub-sector within agriculture, mostly producing apples and grapes. The quality of fruit produced is exceptionally good. Livestock is also an important sub-sector within agriculture. It is a source of income for the flock owners and it meets the nutritional requirements of the population residing in (and outside) the district. It should be mentioned that the vast grazing lands, hilly tracts and the presence of vegetation, are very conducive for livestock rearing and flock owning. Trade and commerce activities are also dominant, particularly in the Chaman Tehsil of the district. However, the industrial base is very poor. There is no large industry in the district, except a few flour mills. The district lacks mineral resources. Only one mineral, antimony, was explored during 1985/86. However, for the last three years its production has declined to zero.
There is a growing informal (private) sector. Out of 856 persons working in this sector, 81% are male and 19% are children. These children are mainly employed as petty traders, street vendors, staff of chankey hotels, staff of shops etc; (there is no data available about the labour force employed in agriculture/horticulture and in various other public sectors).
There does not seem to be a specific government policy for the district. However, provincial policies are framed in the light of federal policies. These policies mainly focus on the provision of physical infrastructure, such as roads, delay action dams etc. The private sector is actively involved in the development of the productive sector.
Agriculture / Horticulture
Introduction
There are two cropping seasons in Killa Abdullah valley, Kharif and Rabi. Kharif crops are sown in summer and harvested in late summer or early winter, while Rabi crops are sown in winter, or during early summer and harvested in summer. The important Rabi crops are wheat, barley, vegetables and fodder.
The crops grown in Kharif season are fruits, melons, vegetables, tobacco, potato, fodder, onion etc. It is interesting to note that almost all the crops grown during Kharif season are cash crops. Which reflect that the farmers are commercially minded, mostly producing for the market. This also indicates that agriculture in the district is a mature sector. It is worth mentioning that fodder and melons are the crops, which are sown both on irrigated and non-irrigated areas. It may be concluded that the farmers behave rational. They use scarce resources (water) in an efficient and effective manner.
Pashtoon women are involved in agricultural related activities, but almost exclusively within the walls of their houses. Some elderly women do take part in assisting the agricultural activities, for which they are not paid. At the time of sowing and harvesting, the demand for seasonal labour increases and additional (male) labour is employed on daily wages. It is worth mentioning that a large portion of the rural local male labour from Killa Abdullah has migrated to urban areas in search of better wages. They were replaced by skilled Afghan refugees, who are hard working and submissive.