Ghazni is one of the provinces where most residents are engaged in agriculture and livestock farming, and their livelihoods largely depend on these activities. The spread of animal diseases and their transmission among livestock in this province sometimes create serious challenges for farmers—challenges that, if not addressed in time, can lead to significant and irreversible economic losses.
Laghman, one of the provinces that has achieved self-sufficiency in vegetable production, not only meets domestic demand but also exports its products to other provinces, including Kabul. Although vegetable production in the country decreases during winter, many farmers in this province use plastic-covered cultivation to bring vegetables to the market ahead of the season, which significantly helps stabilize prices.
“Snow and rain help get rid of pests and microbes on the trees for up to five years. They also prevent diseases like blight, which otherwise require spraying. In the past, when snowfall was enough, these problems didn’t happen. God willing, this year’s snow will have the same effect. Pomegranate trees also tend to give better yields after snowfall.” he explained.
“This year in Shaidaei, the winds were very strong, and a storm destroyed our greenhouses. I didn’t have the money to rebuild, so I had to sell them. I ran a greenhouse for six years, and now I’m unemployed. I sell wood to pay for household expenses; I can’t build a new greenhouse,” he says.
Mohammad Rabbani, one of the workers involved in the project, says, “Establishing these forests will reduce the intensity of floods, as floodwaters will be controlled before reaching the village. It will also make the area greener and reduce air pollution. If these saplings bear fruit, beekeeping programs will also be strengthened.”
He says: “The majority of land in Faryab province is rain-fed. Unfortunately, previous droughts have had a significant impact on agriculture and on the livelihoods of farmers in the province. Recent snowfall and rainfall can have various positive effects on agricultural land. These benefits depend on the amount and type of precipitation, soil conditions, and the types of crops grown. Such precipitation helps recharge groundwater, increase soil moisture, promote plant growth, and reduce pests and crop diseases.”
“We see in the ‘Pista liq’ of Badghis trees are being cut” says Abdul Khaliq, a local resident. “Every citizen must feel responsible. Even a single leaf is part of our shared wealth.” He adds, “The government should first raise awareness among the people. But if the violations continue, there must be legal punishment.”
“If it doesn’t rain and there is no water—just like last year when the rice crops failed—people in Kunduz didn’t get proper yields. When harvests fail, prices go up. Without water and rainfall, farmers face a tough situation.” He said.
A number of farmers and greenhouse vegetable growers in Bagram district of Parwan, say that winter vegetable production is mostly small-scale and traditional. They explain that the lack of protective facilities has caused them significant losses. Most of their fields are open to the elements, and they face severe cold, repeated frost, and no heating systems, which reduce both the quantity and quality of their crops.
On Sunday night, 31 August 2025, a powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, especially Kunar Province. The tremors were also felt in nearby provinces. According to reputable global seismic centers, the earthquake registered 6.0 on the Richter scale, which is relatively rare in Afghanistan’s history of natural disasters. Most districts of Kunar were affected, with the strongest shaking felt in Nurgal, Sawkai, Khas Kunar, and some other districts. This earthquake has been recorded as one of the deadliest in Afghanistan in recent years. As a result, around 2,200 people lost their lives, more than 4,000 were injured, and over 8,000 homes were destroyed.
Provinces like Badghis, Logar, and Kunduz are in an extreme crisis; Faryab and Maidan Wardak are severely affected, while Badakhshan is among the less affected provinces. Geographically, central provinces face high migration and land dryness, Northern provinces experience reduced production, and eastern provinces show limited coping responses.
This survey, conducted with the direct participation of 1,800 families and indirectly covering nearly 15,000 residents across 20 districts of Kabul, reflects the state of groundwater and people’s access to water in the city. The findings paint a worrying picture of the water crisis facing the Afghan capital.
