Peace, stability thrill Farah farmers

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): The establishment of nationwide peace has thrilled farmers in western Farah province, who stressed over the strengthening of peace and security as conflict often caused obstacles to their work and led to destruction of their crops.

Farah is one of Afghanistan’s provinces where people earn their livelihood through agriculture but conflict in most parts of the country inflicted harm to farmers and their standing crops.

Abdul Karim, a resident of Genhikan village of Farah City, is one of the famers who suffered due to fighting. He told Pajhwok Afghan News that after the establishment of peace, he was happy.

Recalling the bad memories of conflict, he said until last days of the previous government their village was on frontline of the war.

He said when the fighting erupted between the two sides, he left his green house and crops because he was in the line of fire.

He said during fighting period his solar panels and other valuable equipment were broken by bullets and he suffered thousands of afghani loss.

He said during fighting he was forced to change the plastic on his green house because it was torn by bullets, adding if there was no war, the plastic cover of his green house would have lasted for 10 years.

“Peace means life and comfort,” he said. He said due to peace, farmers in this area are happy that they will earn good amount from their crops.

Raj village situated close to Genhikan village also remained a battleground during fighting years.

Noor Ahmad, another farmer from Raj village, said he had not been able to grow his land where he was sitting today due to fighting and check-points.

“In the morning before 8:00am we could not go to work and before dawn we should return,” he said.

He was thrilled after the establishment of peace and said: “From this land I can support my family,” he said. After the end of conflict people are now hopeful about life, he added.

Abdul Karim and Noor Ahmad hope that they will not witness fighting in the future anymore and violence will end forever in the country.

nh/ma