Sholgara District


Sholgara is a district in the southern part of Balkh Province, Afghanistan. Sholgara, just south of Mazari Sharif, is strategically located at the crossroads between several districts: Sangcharak, Kishindih, Dar-I-Suf. Dar-I-Suf and Sangcharak are known for their resistance to the Taliban insurgency. It is commonly said that "who holds Sholgara, holds Mazar".

Economy

The demography is not clear as no census has taken place yet.
The economy is almost entirely agricultural. The Sholgar River irrigates some 40,000 jeribs of land, and another two or three thousand are irrigated from springs. Although rainfall is low, 150,000 jeribs are in dry farming, mostly wheat and some barley. Only 5% of the agriculture is in orchards.
Nonetheless, Sholgara District, along with Balkh District, are the sole producers of industrial products in Balkh Province. In addition karakul skins are processed in Sholgara District.