Mass return of migrants, population growth, and the increasing number of university graduates is putting greater pressure on Afghanistan’s labor market while according to experts, the country’s capacity to create jobs and grow its economy is not aligned with the growing workforce. They say that if this trend continues, pressure on the labor market will increase, along with the risk of rising poverty and unemployment.
Akbar starts his work every morning at his greenhouse in Ghor by checking the cucumber plants and monitoring the irrigation system. He says that becoming familiar with drip irrigation through a radio educational program changed the way he farms and encouraged him to use the method in his greenhouse.
It is seven in the morning, and youth who work as drivers are standing beside their cars at Shahrak Terminal in Nili, the capital of Daikundi province. Some are drinking tea, while others silently stare at the road that runs through the mountains of Daikundi toward Kandahar and Kabul. Only occasionally does a passenger enter the terminal, ask about the fare, and leave again. Waiting has become a major part of these drivers’ daily lives—a difficult wait that sometimes lasts for days.
As Afghanistan needs domestic energy sources more than ever to meet its energy needs, gas fields in Jawzjan produce about 650,000 cubic meters of natural gas each day. The gas helps meet part of the country’s electricity, fertilizer, and other energy needs. Officials say the gas is extracted in accordance with technical and environmental standards. However, experts warn that without close monitoring of water resources, soil, and pollutants, continued extraction could have serious environmental consequences.
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.
