Daikundi’s agriculture sector hard hit by drought

NELLI (Pajhwok): Over 75 percent of agricultural crops have been affected severely by drought in the past two years in central Daikundi province, an official said on Sunday.

Environmental Protection Authority Director Hameedullah Naikzad told Pajhwok Afghan News the recent drought had affected 25 provinces of Afghanistan, including Daikundi.

Afghanistan has suffered droughts in the past as well, but the natural disaster had been more severe in the 2021 and 2022.

“Drought has left a negative impact on people in 25 provinces of the country, including Daikundi,” the official added.

Naikzad recalled a committee comprised of representatives Environmental Authority, Natural Disaster Management Authority, Agriculture Department and Helmand River Zone Authority was formed last year to address drought-related problems.

Last year, the committee provided support to affected people to some extent in terms of animal feed, construction of water storage facilities, livestock medicines, farmer training and water management.

However, the director had no idea about the programmes launched in support of drought-hit people in the province. Their suffering could increase, he warned.

Agriculture Director Bashir Ahmad Rafi said the most crippling issue the people of Daikundi were facing was the shortage of drinking water.

He added the agriculture department had shared its programmes and suggestions regarding efforts at curbing negative effects of drought with the relevant organisation.

Daikundi farmers, who had a poor crop yield and income from their lands, are disappointed. They say their yield and income have declined due to drought.

Syed Mohammad, a grower from Kaiti district, said: “In the past I would get 1,400 kilograms of wheat from my land. But this year, I had a140 kilograms of wheat yield, which is not enough to meet our needs.”

He urged the government to provide more support and assistance to the people to deal with current economic crisis.

nh/mud