Project 36 in Riddeh, Roshan District, (Donation cost US$7,100): Started a communal mixed orchard of 650 dwarf fruit trees to increase food security for the village and to sell some for income.

Funding:

 Salim and Jenny Kaderali (Toronto, CA) covered US$2,000 of  the total US$7,100 cost of the 2nd construction stage, to celebrate the birth of a grand child.

Village of Riddeh with 9 families

Problem

In the 2017, HfP had donated ploughing services and fertilizer to develop for them 1 hectare of a  community vegetable farm for food security.

At that time, the Village  requested an additional assistance to develop an orchard of 650 fruit trees.

Project Scope

8500 sq. m. area orchard of 200 apricot trees, 180 cherry trees, 100 apple trees, 100 pear trees and 50 mulberry trees and 20 peach trees. 

 Also, the Village will grow alfalfa grass (between the rows of trees) to sell to those who have sheep.

Items donated in the stage 1:

 Materials for a 450m long and 1.5m high fence  

Items donated in the stage 2:

 Saplings  of 200 apricot trees, 100 apple trees , 180 cherry trees , 100 pear trees, 50 mulberry trees and 20 peach trees

Installation of the fence (stage 1)

Planting the saplings in May, 2020 (stage 2) 

Feedback Received

Feedback  received from the Chief Niyozmamadov Naborav of the Riddeh Village when visited  on 25.10.2024: 

Project: Planted a mixed orchard, 850 sq. m. wide in May, 2020

1.What types of fruit trees are in the orchard?
The orchard primarily features apple, apricot, cherry, pear, mulberry and peach trees.

2. How many trees are currently in the orchard?

There are currently 630 fruit trees in the orchard. This includes around 180 apricot trees, 170 cherry trees,100 apple trees, 100 pear trees and  50 mulberry trees, and 20 peach trees.

3. What is the average age of the trees in the orchard?

The average age of the trees is around 5 years.

4. What types of fertilizers are applied?

The orchard primarily uses organic fertilizers, including composted manure, to enrich the trees soil.

5. When is the harvest season, and how long does it last?
   The harvest season typically begins in late August and continues through October for later varieties. The season lasts about 8 to 9 weeks.
6. How is the fruit harvested ?
   The fruit is mostly harvested manually by hand-picking. The village community use ladders to reach higher branches and gently twist the fruit off the tree to avoid damage.
7. What methods are used to store or preserve the harvested fruit?
   Once harvested, the fruit is sorted and packed into boxes. Forty percent of the fruit is stored in a warehouse with controlled atmosphere storage, which helps preserve its freshness and extend shelf life for up to 6 months. Forty percent of the fruit will be dried, and only 20% will be sold at the local market.

Dua conveyed by the Village Chief Niyozmamadov Naborav:

For helping us realize this Orchard, we make Dua for 1) the deceased Sherbanu, Hasham, Nasim, Aly and Rahemat, and 2) 2)presently living Shiraz and Shahida Dhanani, and   Salim and Jenny Kaderali  that light, joy, and peace in heaven be accepted.

Also, for Shiraz, Shahida, Salim and Jenny, may all their good deeds return to them with good health and long-lasting life.