KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): A number of growers in the Chahar Dara district of northern Kunduz province say most of their crops have been hit hard by a shortage of water and drought.
Khan Agha, a farmer in Chahar Dara district, said he used to get 5.6 tonnes of wheat from his 10-acre land. But this year, he harvested only one tonne of wheat due to drought and water shortage.
According to him, if the government doesn’t provide support, farmers will not be able either to cultivate their lands or receive any harvest.
He added: “We have nothing, not even access to drinking water. If not supported and provided with fertilisers and refined seed this year, we will not be in a position to cultivate our lands.”
Khair Mohammad Mir, another farmer, also called drought a huge issue and urged government support for growers.
He said: “The people of Chahar Dara district have suffered so much. It has been four to five months that there is no water there. Even trees on river banks have dried up. About 65,000 acres of land have been affected by water shortage, so much so that there is no water for cattle.”
Maulvi Amanullah Hassan, agriculture director, acknowledged the drought in some parts of the province and promised cooperation with farmers.
He said: “Chahar Dara and Aliabad districts have been in grip of drought this year; we have shared the issues with local administration and relevant organisations.”
The official pledged: “We will pay more attention to the two districts and give farmers their modified seeds and fertilisers.”
hz/sa/mud
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