In recent years, climate change has become one of the main challenges facing the horticultural sector in Samangan. According to officials and orchard owners, unexpected cold weather, early heatwaves, irregular rainfall, and the increasing prevalence of pests and plant diseases are among the main factors contributing to lower yields and substantial losses in almond orchards.
Every year during the harvest season, large quantities of agricultural and horticultural crops enter local markets in Faryab. However, the lack of standard storage infrastructure has consistently caused a significant portion of these crops to spoil before reaching consumers. In these circumstances, the establishment of a 100-ton cold storage facility in Maimana, the capital of Faryab province, has raised hopes among orchard owners, who see it as a way to reduce post-harvest losses.
Following the ban on opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, many farmers in Nimroz have been forced to turn to alternative crops. Products such as saffron, wheat, cotton, vegetables, and fruits have been introduced by the government and relevant institutions as alternative sources of income.
Livestock diseases in Kapisa have become a serious concern for livestock owners. They say the diseases not only threaten the health of dairy cows but also directly affect milk production, household incomes, and the livelihoods of hundreds of families. According to livestock owners, cases of various diseases among dairy cattle have increased in recent months, while limited access to veterinary services has made their challenges even greater.
“The income from selling vegetables has helped cover some of our household expenses. Some organizations have also provided us with agricultural training, seeds, and fertilizer. Our biggest problems are water shortages, the lack of appropriate markets for our produce, and the high cost of seeds and fertilizer,” she says.
Baghlan, one of Afghanistan’s leading agricultural provinces, is known for its fertile farmland and the heavy reliance of much of its population on agriculture and livestock farming. In recent years, however, climate change, irregular seasonal rainfall, and flash floods have caused severe and often irreparable losses for thousands of farmers across the province.
Ghor Province has a long tradition of handicrafts, particularly khamak embroidery, and is considered one of Afghanistan’s important centers for this traditional art. Deeply rooted in local culture and customs, khamak embroidery not only reflects the province’s cultural heritage but also serves as an important source of income, helping many women achieve economic self-sufficiency.
A number of farmers in Nangarhar have been cultivating strawberries for several years. They say they have chosen to grow strawberries because the crop produces higher yields and generates greater profits than many other crops.
In Mazar-i-Sharif, a young girl with a physical disability in her legs has established an educational center that provides free training in tailoring, literacy, and cooking for dozens of girls. This initiative has become an opportunity for many of the center’s students to learn skills and achieve financial independence.
Khanum Gul, a resident of Sarmata village in Dasht-e-Archi district of Kunduz, has been engaged in livestock farming for more than 20 years. Five years ago, she also started orchard farming. Her days are spent caring for her cows and goats, tending to her orchard, and working on her farmland—tasks that, despite the fatigue and difficulties they bring, have become an inseparable part of her life.
In a narrow street in Herat, the sound of sewing machines and the smell of leather fill a small but vibrant workshop, where Kamela Mirzaei—a girl whose life took an unexpected turn and who was denied the opportunity to continue her education—now works in a shoemaking workshop. She says the workshop has been operating officially for the past four years and is run with the help of her family members.
Ghazni is one of the key agricultural provinces in the central part of Afghanistan, where a large proportion of residents across its eighteen districts are engaged in farming and livestock rearing to cover their living expenses.
