HERAT CITY (SW) – Local officials in Herat have warned of drought amid shortfall in raining this year.
Bashir Ahmad Ahmadi, deputy head of the agriculture department, said that in 2019 more than 200 mm of rain fell in Herat; but in the winter last year only around69 mm of rain fell. According to Ahmadi, with a decrease of 131 mm of rainfall in the last 3 months compared to the previous year drought was eminent.
The deputy head of agriculture department in Herat added that in over 200,000 hectares of land remained under cultivation of wheat, chickpeas and some other crops, but most of these agricultural products have been destroyed due to reduced rainfall last winter.
He said that efforts are being made to compensate for the shortage of irrigation water via the Afghanistan – India Friendship Dam also known as Salma Dam.
A number of Herat farmers said they are worried about decline in rainfall last winter and water shortages in the province. They said that due to low rainfall, their fields are worn out and most of their crops are being destroyed.
Meanwhile, Herat Governor Sayed Abdul Wahid Qatali has announced the government was working on a plan to change the way agriculture is pursued. According to the governor of Herat, by using modern agricultural methods, the degree of dependence on rainwater will be reduced.
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