Drought makes life difficult for livestock breeders

GHOR (SW) – A number of livestock breeders in Ghor province lament the drought has resulted in falling prices of the animals.

Fazlullah and Mohammad Kareem, two such livestock traders, said poverty combined with drought have forced many of them sell off animals on throwaway prices. He added last year, livestock traders were selling a sheep at around AFN 6000, but this year the prices have dropped to around AFN 3000.

The Ghor livestock traders want the government to take effective steps in compensating for their losses. They said traders from other provinces are buying up to 2000 animals from here at throwaway prices on daily basis, and moving them to different parts of the country.

A local trader, Mir Elm, said farmers are selling animals in Kabul at double prices that are bought here at cheap prices.

Authorities in Ghor admit the drought has made it difficult for the farmers and livestock breaders to survive.  Abdul Hai Khatibi, spokesman for the governor, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock has sent some supplies for the livestock, that would soon be distributed among the needy locals.

Up to 95 per cent population in Ghor are associated with farming and livestock.

ENDS