SAR-E-POL (SW) – A number of farmers in Sar-e-Pol say that as a result of successive droughts and the lack of agricultural water, many lands have turned into deserts and the fields have been seriously damaged.
They want the caretaker government of the Islamic Emirate to build standard cold storages, water dams and provide immediate aid to the affected farmers of this province.
Abdul Qadir, a local farmer, says that this year he did not get good results by growing wheat, barley, corn and melons and lost 500,000 afghanis. According to him, farmers suffer huge financial losses every year due to the lack of standard cold storage facilities and water diversion dams, and no one has provided the means to help the affected farmers.
He adds: “Drought destroyed farming, there was nothing left, I spent 500,000 afghanis, I earned 100,000 afghanis only. Now I am wondering where to get the loans to pay back the people, my situation is very bad.”
Enayatullah, another farmer, also says that if the caretaker government of the Islamic Emirate does not pay attention and provide more facilities, the situation will get worse. According to him, many farmers from Sancharak, Sayaad and Gosfandi districts who have gone into debt have gone to Iran to work.
Inayatullah adds: “We are still not in a good situation, there is a drought year after year and no one helps and everyone has suffered from cultivation. The continuation of this situation will lead people to 100% poverty and it will lead to a permanent state.”
At the same time, the officials in the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock also confirm the problems of the farmers of this province and promise that they will make more efforts to make it easier for the farmers of this province.
Mohammad Sharif Mosadeq, the director of agricultural affairs, says that the farmers of this province have suffered as a result of recent droughts, and this department is trying to provide more facilities to the farmers. He adds: “Sar-e-Pol has good weather and our effort is to support farmers and these efforts continue at the level of the province and the ministry.”
The officials have also promised the construction of the “Sultan Ibrahim Valley” dam, which will cost 37 million dollars.
ENDS
