Severe Frost Devastates Pistachio Orchards in Rafsanjan and Zarand, Iran

Severe Cold Weather in Rafsanjan Causes Damage to Pistachio Orchards

As reported by Keinia according to Fars News agency, the weather station in Rafsanjan registered temperatures as low as minus 2 degrees Celsius in the Kabutar Khan and Javadiyeh Falah-e-Noq areas of the city. Unfortunately, the severity of the cold weather caused damage to 12,000 hectares of pistachio orchards.

The Governor of Rafsanjan expressed his regret over the damage and warned that repeated frosts on the 3rd, 4th, 14th, and 15th of April indicate that climate change is a serious issue. He suggested that farmers equip themselves with the necessary tools to combat frost damage in the future.

One of the simplest ways to combat frost damage, according to Mr. Hussein Rezaei, is to use diesel heaters in the orchards when temperatures drop below zero. He also announced the establishment of six new weather stations in various parts of the city to help monitor weather conditions and provide farmers with the necessary warnings in the event of extreme weather conditions.

Ali Bagheri, the director of the Agricultural Jihad Organization in Rafsanjan, said that 12,000 hectares of pistachio orchards in the city have been damaged by between 10% and 90% due to the cold weather. Most of the damage occurred in Noq, Kabutar Khan, and the outskirts of Rafsanjan.

Pistachios are one of the most important agricultural products of Rafsanjan, and the city is known as the pistachio capital of the world. Pistachio orchards cover a significant portion of the agricultural land in the city, and the cold weather has dealt a severe blow to the farmers.

The damage caused by the cold weather has not only affected the current year’s harvest but may also have a long-term impact on the pistachio trees. It is feared that some of the trees may have suffered irreparable damage, which may result in a reduction in the yield for the next few years.

Farmers are now struggling to save the remaining pistachio trees from further damage. They use various methods, including diesel heaters, sprinklers, and even helicopters, to try and save the orchards from frost damage.

The severe frost in Rafsanjan highlights the need for farmers to be prepared for extreme weather conditions. Climate change has made weather patterns more unpredictable, and farmers must take steps to protect their crops and orchards from the effects of extreme weather.

In conclusion, the cold weather has caused significant damage to pistachio orchards in Rafsanjan, which may have long-term effects on the city’s pistachio industry. Establishing new weather stations and using diesel heaters may help farmers combat frost damage in the future, but they must also be prepared to face the challenges posed by climate change.

70% of the Pistachio Crop in Zarrand Destroyed by Frost

In addition to the severe cold weather in Rafsanjan causing damage to pistachio orchards, recent news from Tahlil Bazaar reports that 70% of the pistachio crop in Zarrind has been destroyed due to frost. The head of the Zarrind Agricultural Jihad Organization, citing the report of the agriculture experts, stated that the region’s pistachio orchards had been exposed to freezing temperatures for several consecutive nights, causing severe damage to the crop. This is a significant loss for the region, which is known for its high-quality pistachios. Farmers in Zarrind are also taking measures to mitigate further damage to their orchards by using various techniques to combat frost, including diesel heaters and wind machines.

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