MAIMANA (SW) – A number of farmers in Faryab say that the distribution of agricultural aid by aid agencies is not fair and does not reach the needy farmers.
According to them, no aid such as chemical fertilizer, improved seeds, land and agricultural equipment has been distributed to the farmers by the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock or the aid institutions.
Zabihullah, who has been farming in Maimana, the center of Faryab, for 30 years, says that he does not have access to a greenhouse and cannot plant in winter, and according to him, because of this, the price of agricultural products increases in the market.
Zabihullah added: “The Department of Agriculture and the donor offices have not given us even a bag of fertilizer or any seeds so far. The greenhouses that I see in Imam Sahib and other areas have been given to the farmers and they have planted in them, but they don’t give it to us and say that the land is not yours and they don’t trust us.”
Farmers in Faryab say that aid organizations are helping those who have no profit by building greenhouses. But there is no help for professional farmers.
Similarly, Ahmad Javid, another farmer in Maymana, says that chemical fertilizers, modified seeds and greenhouses have been given to those who are not farmers. He added: “In the greenhouses, the plastics are torn and their irons are worn out. They come in the name of wheat farmers and take fertilizer and everything, but the unfortunate peasant does not see or get anything. We saw thousands of sacks of wheat and chemical fertilizers sold on the black market.”
However, the officials in Faryab Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, by confirming the distribution of aid to non-professional farmers, say that they are in full communication and coordination with partner institutions, but after the survey, these institutions distribute aid to non-professionals based on prior knowledge. According to officials, this problem also existed during the Republic.
Noor Al-Hada Mutawakkel, deputy director of agriculture, says that in order to prevent the unfair distribution of agricultural aid, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, they have plans in hand that they will implement soon. He added: “Our dear farmers who complained about the greenhouses are 100% correct. We have also seen that during the Republic it was distributed to their own people or to the lords and those who were connected with the offices.”
It should be mentioned that farmers in Faryab, in addition to the unfair distribution of agricultural aid, also complain about the lack of cold storage to store their products.
ENDS
