Afghanistan is grappling with a worsening drought that’s severely impacting its agricultural sector — especially in the country’s northern provinces. Farmers across at least 19 regions report widespread crop failures, shrinking pastures, and acute water shortages. With livelihoods tied directly to farming and livestock, rural communities are under mounting economic and food security pressure.
The crisis is largely driven by climate change and increasingly erratic weather patterns. Abdul Qayyum, a farmer in northern Afghanistan with nearly three decades of experience, described the situation to TOLOnews:
“My land is destroyed by floods on one side and drought on the other. I have ten dependents at home and don’t know what to do.”
The Afghan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock says it’s responding with initiatives such as drip irrigation systems, improved seed distribution, technical training, and market access support. Officials also cite alternative crop programs introduced after the Taliban’s ban on opium cultivation — including growth in saffron, hing (asafetida), dense orchards, and soybeans.
“Thousands of farmers have benefited from livelihood programs since the opium ban,” said Ghulam Mohammad Kazem Shahamat, spokesperson for the Ministry.
The Afghanistan Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock supports this shift, pointing to saffron and hing as promising export crops — both in quality and international demand. But they also warn that without sustained government and international support, these gains may stall.
While local efforts like small-scale dam projects and irrigation pilots offer some hope, experts and farmers alike stress they’re not enough. Posts on X from Afghan civil society and climate activists urge faster global aid, warning that the window for large-scale intervention is closing.
This crisis reflects the broader vulnerability of Afghanistan’s rural economy — where agriculture remains a cornerstone. Without immediate support and longer-term climate adaptation strategies, millions could face deeper food insecurity, poverty, and displacement in 2025 and beyond.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 16th, 2025
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