While many orchard owners in Daikundi were expecting a productive year, continuous snowfall and rainfall in the first month of the solar year (March–April) have damaged fruit tree blossoms before they could turn into fruit, turning farmers’ hopes into serious concern.
The UN, in a post on X on Wednesday (April 22), stated that “Earth is our one and only home” and emphasized that protecting the planet is a shared responsibility wherever people live.
Several farmers in Balkh province say that, in addition to recurring drought and water shortages driven by climate change in recent years, infestations of Moroccan locusts have emerged as a new threat to their agricultural crops.
In recent years, the implementation of several projects in Ghazni has increased hope among farmers and livestock farmers. These projects include building greenhouses, setting up poultry farms, dairy production, tailoring programs for women, and conducting educational trainings. These projects are now ongoing in the provincial center and some districts.
In several districts of Panjshir Province, about 15 jeribs of land have been set aside as demonstration plots for row planting of wheat. This initiative has been launched by the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock to promote improved farming methods and increase crop yields.
A number of farmers in Kunduz told Salam Watandar that climate change and the continued use of chemical fertilizers have created challenges for traditional farming methods.
With the arrival of spring, the flower and plant market has taken on a fresh look, and youth working in this sector report increased sales during this season. Many of them turned to this profession because of their personal interest and the lack of job opportunities. By cultivating different kinds of ornamental plants, they not only beautify the environment but also create a source of income for themselves.
She has plans for the future and wants to expand her flower cultivation. She says, “I tell all women not to lose hope. Start with small steps and believe in yourselves. Every woman can make a difference.”
In recent years, Ghazni has increasingly been affected by climate change, with a rise in flooding causing significant damage to many families in the provincial center and its districts. Areas including Ghaib Qalandar, Hakim Sanayi Township, Khair Abad, Deh Khudaydad, Pirzada, Qala Amir Mohammad Khan, and Tawhid Abad in the provincial center, as well as parts of several districts, have repeatedly witnessed devastating floods.
Flash floods in mountainous areas occur as a result of heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, and the steep slopes of valleys. In recent years, however, climate change has intensified these events and shortened response times. In the provinces of Kapisa and Panjshir, flash floods have recently caused significant damage to infrastructure and posed serious threats to residents’ lives, raising concerns about community preparedness and the effectiveness of early warning systems.
Reza Jafari, a 35-year-old from Daikundi who has been working as a volunteer in greening activities for the past year, says, “The main reason we turned to volunteer work was that everywhere we look in our country, unfortunately, the hills have been stripped of forests, and plants have disappeared due to people’s excessive use and population growth. A lack of public awareness has led people to overexploit mountain forests.”
Laghman is a province where most of its population earns their living through agriculture and natural resources. With its green mountains, natural forests, and flowing rivers, this province is considered one of Afghanistan’s most important agricultural and natural areas. Two major rivers in the province, Alishang and Alingar, are essential sources of life for the people.
