Due to drought, water-guzzling rice banned in Herat

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Rice cultivation has been banned in western Herat province due to water shortage and drought conditions, with farmers urging the authorities to make a plan to provide water from Salma Dam.

Farmers say Herat is a fertile province and majority of its residents are associated with agriculture and grow different crops especially rice, but because of drought and lack of seasonal rains, they are facing many challenges.

Hayatullah, a farmer, told Pajhwok Afghan News that majority of the farmers including him had been struggling with water scarcity since last three years and now they were not very interested in growing rice on their fields.

Ghulam Farooq, another farmer, asked the government to facilitate them with irrigation water from Salma Dam because the underground water level had depleted and they faced many problems in growing rice.

Bashir Ahmad, an official of the agriculture department said, rice was mostly cultivated in Injil, Guzara, PashtonZarghon and Obe districts.

“Rice is grown in the mentioned districts because these districts are situated alongside Harirood River, officials of agriculture of livestock department have advised farmers to avoid growing rice during the current year because of the drought and the department has introduced more alternatives to the farmers.”

However, experts say relevant institutions must provide farmers with alternatives ways of irrigation.

Humayoun Akbari, an expert in agricultural affairs, said the locally produced rice had its own characteristics than the imported rice, so it must be provided with chance to be cultivated here.

“Rice is important food item so the government must provide facilities in this regard to growers”, he added.

Pajhwok tried to have the opinion of local irrigation department officials, but it did not succeed despite repeated attempts.

aw/ma

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