In recent years, climate change, as one of Afghanistan’s most serious challenges, has left widespread impacts on the agriculture and livestock sectors. Reduced rainfall, rising temperatures, and continued droughts have gradually destroyed natural pastures and reduced fodder production — a situation that has seriously threatened the livelihoods of thousands of livestock-raising families, particularly in Kapisa province.
Livestock owners in different parts of the province say they have faced severe difficulties over the past years due to fodder shortages and the drying up of pastures.
Ali Ahmad, a livestock owner in Nijrab district, says he was forced to sell a large portion of his animals during the peak of the drought. He is calling for the introduction of improved livestock breeds, forest restoration, and veterinary support for animals.
“In the past, we had around 200 head of livestock, but because of the drought we sold most of them to butchers and other people. Since rainfall has increased, our hopes have risen again. We ask the Islamic Emirate to provide us with improved livestock breeds, medicine for our animals, and assistance with fodder,” he says.
According to him and other livestock owners, during the height of the drought the price of a sack of fodder increased severalfold, leaving many families unable to afford it. Others also say that the lack of sufficient fodder severely affected the health of their livestock, causing the animals to become weak and underweight.
Nabiullah, another livestock owner in Tagab district, says,
“We had even more livestock before, but because of the drought we sold almost all of them. Now we only have around 50 left. This year, by God’s grace, there has been abundant rainfall. We ask for dams to be built, assistance with fodder, and markets for our products so that items such as qorot and milk can be sold at fair prices.”
However, recent rainfall in Kapisa has somewhat improved the situation. Local residents say the pastures are greener than in previous years and vegetation cover is recovering.
Mohammad Younus, another livestock owner from Koh Band district, says,
“This year the pastures have improved, and unlike before, we are no longer forced to buy large amounts of fodder from the market. Relevant institutions should help establish markets for selling our dairy and livestock products so that this industry can grow.”
Meanwhile, some livestock buyers also point to changes in the market. According to them, during the drought years livestock prices rose significantly because the number of animals had declined.
Ghulam Nabi, a livestock buyer in a local market, says,
“Last year, because of the drought, the number of livestock had declined. Those who sold their animals did so at low prices. This year, with rainfall and greenery returning, buying and selling has slowed down. Livestock owners are no longer selling as much and are instead focusing on breeding their livestock.”
At the same time, livestock experts confirm these improvements but say that they may only be temporary. In their view, if proper pasture management, prevention of overgrazing, and natural resource restoration programs are not implemented in a sustainable manner, there remains a possibility of a return to a crisis situation.
Multan Zarawar, a livestock and natural resources expert, says,
“This year’s rainfall has improved grazing lands, but the improvement is not sustainable because climate change is a global issue. The government should prepare reserves of animal feed in such conditions, provide financial support to livestock owners, distribute vaccines free of charge, and provide proper shelters for livestock during the winter. The government should also work with non-governmental organizations to create markets for livestock products, distribute fodder crop seeds free of charge, plant them in grazing lands, apply fertilizers to pastures, and prevent overgrazing.”
Kapisa provincial officials also confirm the relative improvement in grazing lands. They say recent rainfall has had a positive impact on vegetation cover and improved pasture conditions compared to previous years.
Abdulaziz Nazari, spokesperson for the Kapisa governor, says,
“Following the recent rainfall, the condition of grazing lands has improved and vegetation cover has increased, although floods in some areas have caused sediment accumulation. According to available information, thousands of hectares of grazing land exist across the province. Plans include sustainable pasture management, the development of irrigation systems, increasing vegetation cover, implementing fodder programs, and introducing climate adaptation programs at the local administration level.”
Although the recent rains have revived hopes for improving pastures and restoring livestock farming in Kapisa, the sustainability of this progress will depend on effective natural resource management, careful planning, and practical government support for livestock owners. Otherwise, the risk of a return to drought-related crisis conditions will remain.
