{"id":31177,"date":"2026-11-02T10:13:27","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T10:13:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/?p=31177"},"modified":"2026-11-02T11:06:32","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T11:06:32","slug":"plant-pests-and-low-quality-pesticides-a-threat-to-agricultural-production-in-parwan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/2026\/11\/plant-pests-and-low-quality-pesticides-a-threat-to-agricultural-production-in-parwan\/","title":{"rendered":"Plant pests and low-quality pesticides; a threat to agricultural production in Parwan"},"content":{"rendered":"

For years, farmers in Parwan Province, Afghanistan, have been facing an increasingly serious threat to their crops, with the problem worsening each growing season. Farmers say that, in recent years, plant pests and diseases have damaged large areas of their vegetable fields and fruit orchards, while also increasing production costs. Despite repeatedly applying chemical pesticides, they often fail to control the pests. Plants and trees continue to dry out, grow slowly, and produce lower yields.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Farmers also say that the situation has become more difficult because of limited access to effective pesticides, concerns about the quality of some agricultural chemicals, a lack of improved seeds, and a shortage of expert advice.<\/p>\n

These concerns arise amid scientific findings from international organizations showing that climate change can affect the life cycles, reproduction rates, and geographical distribution of certain plant pests and disease-causing organisms by changing temperature and humidity conditions. In this situation, traditional pest control methods and reliance on pesticide spraying alone may no longer be enough to address emerging threats.<\/p>\n

Plant pests and diseases continue to damage crops in Parwan<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Najibullah, a 45-year-old farmer from Totum Dara village in Parwan, says that plant pests and diseases have increasingly affected agricultural fields, particularly tomato, eggplant, and onion crops. According to him, the problem has persisted for several years, and repeated pesticide spraying could not prevent the damage.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlant pests and diseases have increased in our fields, particularly in tomato, eggplant, and onion crops. Unfortunately, this problem has persisted for several years, and the spread of pests and plant diseases continues to increase every year. We spray our fields repeatedly, but there are no positive results. Eventually, the plants dry out,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The farmers\u2019 problems go beyond the increasing presence of pests. The effectiveness of pest control methods has also become a serious concern. Effective pest management requires first identifying the pest or disease, understanding its stage of growth, and then choosing the appropriate control method. Repeatedly using the same type of pesticide without first identifying the cause of the damage may not produce good results. Instead, it may increase production costs and harm the environment and human health.<\/p>\n

Ahmad Jan, another farmer from Bagram District in Parwan, says that various plant diseases and pests, including those locally known as Fire Blight (Atashak) and Anthracnose (Qarghana), have damaged their crops. He believes that the low quality of some pesticides and fertilizers available in the market is one of the reasons for declining agricultural yields.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlant diseases and pests, including Fire Blight (Atashak), Anthracnose (Qarghana), and others, are damaging our crops. We use different pesticides to control them, but unfortunately, we do not get the desired results. Our agricultural yields are declining year by year because the pesticides and fertilizers available in the market often do not meet the required quality standards. Every year, despite our hard work and the money we spend, we do not achieve the results we expect and continue to suffer losses,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

However, confirming the exact diseases and determining whether declining yields are linked to poor-quality pesticides require laboratory testing of plant samples and agricultural chemicals.<\/p>\n

Baktash Mahbobi, another farmer in Parwan, says that plant pests and diseases have damaged grapes, onions, tomatoes, and other crops. He believes that the lack of professional diagnosis and incorrect advice on the use of agricultural pesticides are among the reasons farmers\u2019 efforts do not produce good results.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe crops damaged include grapes, onions, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. These pests damage almost everything we plant. They do not distinguish between crops; they cause damage to all types of plants. If an agricultural specialist can correctly identify the disease and recommend the appropriate pesticide, the results will be better. Unfortunately, some people who provide agricultural advice do not have sufficient knowledge to diagnose plant diseases. Sometimes, a plant is suffering from one disease, but a different pesticide is recommended. That is why we do not get the desired results,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

These accounts highlight a major challenge in plant protection: the gap between scientific diagnosis and pest control practices in the field. Changes in leaf color, drying branches, plant spots, and rotting fruit may result not only from pests and diseases but also from nutrient deficiencies, a water shortage, soil salinity, heat, fungi, bacteria, and viruses.<\/p>\n

Plant protection specialists emphasize the importance of differential diagnosis, which involves identifying the actual cause of crop damage by examining symptoms, crop history, and environmental conditions, and conducting laboratory tests when necessary. Without proper diagnosis, pesticide selection is more likely to be based on individuals\u2019 assumptions or advice from people without professional expertise.<\/p>\n

Sardar Mohammad, another farmer from Parwan, expresses concern about the spread of powdery mildew (Khakstarak) in vineyards and other crops.<\/p>\n

\u201cPowdery mildew damages almost every type of plant we grow, including tomatoes, ridge gourds (luffa), eggplants, beans, and grapevines. Vineyard owners in our area have also suffered significant losses due to pests. Some have even been forced to remove their grapevines and prepare their land for planting again,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

How does climate change contribute to the spread of pests?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Along with poor agricultural management practices and the low quality of some pesticides, climate change is also considered an effective factor contributing to the spread of plant pests and diseases. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and changes in humidity can all alter the living conditions of pests and disease-causing organisms.<\/p>\n

According to a 2021 scientific report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) on the impact of climate change on plant pests, evidence shows that climate change is expanding the geographical range and host range of certain pests and disease-causing organisms. This means that some pests may begin to survive and spread in areas where they previously could not, and begin damaging new crops.<\/p>\n

The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also emphasizes that global warming and extreme heat events can affect the distribution, reproduction rates, and seasonal emergence of pests, weeds, and plant pathogens. According to the report, under warmer conditions, some insects may have more reproductive cycles in a year, increasing pressure on agricultural crops. Similarly, droughts and heatwaves can weaken plants, making them less resistant to harmful organisms.<\/p>\n

Abdul Khabir Azizi, a plant protection expert and university lecturer, says climate change plays a role in the spread and population growth of certain pests. According to him, rising temperatures can create more favorable conditions for some insects to reproduce. However, the improper use of pesticides and the purchase of agricultural chemicals without consulting specialists can make the problem worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cRecently, farmers\u2019 fields have suffered greater damage, which is closely linked, both directly and indirectly, to climate change. As temperatures rise, the reproduction rates of certain insects and pests increase. One problem is the lack of proper diagnosis, which leads to the use of all kinds of pesticides. Another problem is the purchase of low-quality pesticides from the market. Farmers buy and use pesticides without consulting specialists in agriculture, plant protection, or plant diseases,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

This view is consistent with international scientific findings. However, determining the exact contribution of climate change to the agricultural losses reported in Parwan requires local data on temperature, rainfall, pest species, the timing of outbreaks, and the extent of crop damage over several growing seasons.<\/p>\n

It is also important to note that rising temperatures do not make all pests more widespread. Different species respond differently to climatic conditions. Some insects reproduce more quickly at higher temperatures, while others may move beyond their optimal temperature range. Therefore, regular monitoring and the collection of local data are essential for predicting and managing pest outbreaks.<\/p>\n

The burden of low-quality pesticides on farmers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Another major concern among farmers in Parwan is the uncertain quality of pesticides and agricultural fertilizers available in the market. They say they repeatedly spend money on pesticides and spraying to control pests and diseases, but often do not achieve satisfactory results.<\/p>\n

From a technical perspective, pesticide quality depends on more than its brand name or country of origin. Its active ingredient, concentration, formulation, manufacturing and expiry dates, storage conditions, packaging, and compliance with registered standards all affect its effectiveness.<\/p>\n

Expired, fake, unregistered, or improperly formulated pesticides that do not meet the specifications stated on their packaging may fail to control pests. Using such products increases production costs and can also pose risks, including chemical residues in food, harm to beneficial insects, and pollution of soil and water.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in their joint guidelines on pesticide management, emphasize the on preventing illegal trade, monitoring imports and distribution, registering products, and strengthening inspection systems. In guidelines published on 12 May 2025, the two organizations warned that the illegal pesticide trade is a global concern that can threaten human health, the environment, and agricultural production.<\/p>\n

In Afghanistan, the quality of agricultural chemicals has also been addressed in official documents and development programs in agricultural section. Through the Afghanistan Agricultural Inputs Project (AAIP), the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock emphasized the need to establish and strengthen the capacity for monitoring the quality of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, plant quarantine, and the diagnosis of pests and diseases.<\/p>\n

According to information published on the ministry\u2019s website, one of the project\u2019s objectives was to prevent the supply of banned, dangerous, and low-quality pesticides and fertilizers. The project also included plans to establish laboratories to test the quality of agricultural chemicals and diagnostic centers for pests and diseases.<\/p>\n

A report on the project published by the World Bank indicates that samples were collected from agricultural pesticide markets in ten provinces during its implementation. An assessment conducted between 2016 and 2018 identified 93 acceptable products, while nine types of expired or banned pesticides were collected and transferred to plant protection department warehouses for proper disposal. In addition, 180 product samples were tested for chemical residues, and 105 unsuitable pesticide samples were identified.<\/p>\n

These figures relate to the period when the project was implemented and should not be considered as reflecting the current state of agricultural input markets in Afghanistan or Parwan. However, they show that concerns about the quality of agricultural pesticides in the country have a documented history and highlight the importance of laboratory testing and monitoring.<\/p>\n

Afghanistan\u2019s laws and regulations on agricultural pesticides also provide a framework for regulating the import, distribution, and use of these products. According to information registered with the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Plant Protection and Quarantine Department of the Ministry of Agriculture is introduced as the authority responsible for issuing pesticide import and export licenses.<\/p>\n

This raises important questions for the relevant authorities: How many pesticide samples currently available in Parwan’s markets are being tested? What measures are in place to identify fake or expired products? Can farmers approach a specific authority to request quality testing of the pesticides they have purchased?<\/p>\n

Integrated Pest Management; an approach beyond pesticide spraying<\/strong><\/h5>\n

One approach emphasized in scientific documents and international plant protection programs is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Rather than relying entirely on chemical pesticides, this approach combines agricultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical methods to prevent and control pests.<\/p>\n

In the IPM approach, the first step is to assess field conditions and identify the type of pest or disease. The extent of the damage and the economic threshold are then assessed to determine whether chemical control is necessary or whether other methods can prevent further losses.<\/p>\n

Integrated Pest Management includes measures such as using improved and resistant seeds, rotating crops, collecting and destroying infected plant residues, maintaining proper spacing between plants, using beneficial insects and other natural enemies of pests, setting up monitoring and control traps, monitoring fields regularly, and applying registered and effective pesticides in a targeted way when necessary.<\/p>\n

According to the World Bank’s guidelines on pest management, biological methods, proper agricultural practices, and resistant plant varieties are among the key components of Integrated Pest Management. This approach can reduce farmers’ reliance on chemical pesticides and limits the risks associated with their improper use.<\/p>\n

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also emphasizes the shared responsibilities of governments, pesticide manufacturers and distributors, scientific institutions, and users in its International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management<\/em>. The code covers every stage of pesticide management, including production, registration, import, distribution, storage, application, and the disposal of pesticide containers.<\/p>\n

Limited facilities and a shortage of specialized personnel<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Alongside the problems described by farmers, the capacity of the institutions responsible for addressing pests and diseases is also important. Monitoring crop conditions, diagnosing diseases quickly, identifying newly emerging pests, and providing expert advice all require trained personnel, diagnostic equipment, laboratory facilities, and a reliable system for collecting information.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Neyaz Mohammad Taayeb, Head of Agricultural Affairs at the Parwan Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, identifies climate change, consecutive droughts, and the improper use of agricultural pesticides as factors contributing to the spread of plant pests.<\/p>\n

\u201cClimate change, consecutive droughts, the improper use of agricultural pesticides, and failure to follow the advice of specialists from the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock undoubtedly contribute to the spread of plant pests. Due to staff shortages and limited financial resources, it is not possible to send specialists to every farmer’s fields and orchards,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

These remarks highlight the shortage of resources and qualified specialists as one of the main obstacles to providing plant protection services across the province. However, although visiting the Department of Agriculture gives farmers an opportunity to receive expert advice, this alone cannot replace an active and systematic monitoring and diagnostic system in districts and villages.<\/p>\n

The Afghanistan Agricultural Inputs Project, implemented with support from the World Bank, aimed to establish a plant quarantine network, strengthen the capacity to diagnose pests and diseases, assess the quality of agricultural chemicals, and promote Integrated Pest Management. According to the project report, 49 Farmer Field Schools were established in 10 provinces, where 862 farmers received training in Integrated Pest Management for wheat and vegetable crops.<\/p>\n

This experience shows that practical, field-based training can be an effective way to share technical knowledge with rural communities, particularly when it is not possible to send specialists to every farm.<\/p>\n

The need to strengthen the plant protection system in Afghanistan<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The vulnerability of Afghanistan’s agricultural sector to climate change makes this issue even more important. According to the Afghanistan Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment<\/em>, published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in November 2020, Afghanistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. The report identifies widespread dependence on agriculture for livelihoods, environmental fragility, limited economic resources, and recurring natural disasters as key factors contributing to this vulnerability.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A scientific article published in 2026 by researchers affiliated with the Faculty of Agriculture at Kabul University also examines the impact of climate change on Afghanistan’s horticultural sector. The study identifies rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, reduced chilling requirements for certain fruit trees, and increasing pressure from pests and diseases as major threats to the country’s horticulture.<\/p>\n

The researchers emphasize the use of climate-resilient crop varieties, precision irrigation, Integrated Pest Management, improved soil management, and stronger research and technical support. At the same time, they point out that direct and comprehensive studies of some of these impacts in Afghanistan remain limited.<\/p>\n

The shortage of research highlights the need to establish a national database of plant pests and diseases. Such a database could document pest types, their emergence periods, affected areas, the crops they damage, the extent of crop losses, and effective control methods. This information could then be shared with relevant institutions and farmers.<\/p>\n

What can be done to reduce farmers’ losses in Parwan?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Considering farmers’ concerns, expert opinions, and scientific findings, addressing pests and diseases in Parwan requires a coordinated set of measures:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Establishing a systematic pest monitoring and warning system<\/li>\n
  2. Strengthening plant disease diagnostic services<\/li>\n
  3. Monitoring the quality of agricultural pesticides and fertilizers<\/li>\n
  4. Providing practical training in Integrated Pest Management<\/li>\n
  5. Improving access to improved seeds and resistant varieties<\/li>\n
  6. Promoting the safe use of pesticides<\/li>\n
  7. Strengthening coordination between scientific and implementing institutions<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As a result, the problems reported by farmers in Parwan are not limited to the increasing prevalence of pests and diseases. Rather, they are part of a series of interconnected challenges affecting agricultural production. Climate change, poor disease diagnosis, improper pesticide use, the uncertain quality of some agricultural inputs, limited agricultural extension services, and a lack of technical facilities all contribute to making agricultural fields more vulnerable.<\/p>\n

    Under these circumstances, repeated pesticide spraying without proper scientific diagnosis is neither a sustainable nor an affordable solution. It increases farmers’ costs and raises the risk of pests developing resistance to pesticides.<\/p>\n

    What is needed now is a shift from traditional, reactive pest control to scientific, preventive, and integrated pest management. This approach should be based on timely diagnosis, continuous monitoring, farmer training, quality control of agricultural inputs, and the responsible use of chemical pesticides.<\/p>\n

    Farmers in Parwan need access to expert advice, quality seeds, effective pesticides, and plant protection services to protect their harvests and ensure they can bring food to their families\u2019 tables. The responsibility of relevant institutions should go beyond simply advising farmers to visit the Department of Agriculture. Bringing diagnostic and training services to villages, monitoring the agricultural input market, and supporting farmers must be among their priorities.<\/p>\n

    This is because protecting plants is not just about saving a single growing season; it is also about protecting rural livelihoods, ensuring food security, preserving environmental health, and sustaining agricultural production in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

    Reporter: Sharifa Qasemi<\/em><\/p>\n

    A report by the Maseer-e-Sabz programme<\/em><\/p>\n

    References<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. FAO and IPPC (2021) \u2013 Scientific Review of the Impact of Climate Change on Plant Pests: A Global Challenge to Prevent and Mitigate<\/em>.<\/strong>
      \nhttps:\/\/reliefweb.int\/report\/world\/scientific-review-impact-climate-change-plant-pests-global-challenge-prevent-and<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. IPCC (2022) \u2013Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, <\/em><\/strong>Chapter 5<\/em><\/strong>.<\/strong>
      \n<\/strong>      https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/report\/ar6\/wg2\/chapter\/chapter-5\/<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. FAO \u2013 The International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management<\/em>.<\/strong>
      \n      https:\/\/www.fao.org\/pest-and-pesticide-management\/pesticide-risk-reduction\/code-conduct\/en\/<\/a><\/li>\n
    4. UNEP (2020) \u2013 Afghanistan: Vulnerability and Adaptation \u2013 <\/em><\/strong>Technical Assessment Report<\/em><\/strong>.<\/strong>
      \n      https:\/\/openknowledge.fao.org\/items\/730a2481-fc5a-42a9-bcd3-03c7f1b95ea0<\/a><\/li>\n
    5. Afghanistan Agricultural Inputs Project \u2013 Implementation Completion Report<\/em>.<\/strong>
      \n      https:\/\/documents1.worldbank.org\/curated\/en\/599201578327882486\/pdf\/Afghanistan-Agricultural-Inputs-Project.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n
    6. \u201cImpacts of Climate Change on Afghanistan\u2019s Horticulture Sector: A Narrative Review.\u201d<\/strong>
      \n      https:\/\/esrj.edu.af\/esrj\/article\/view\/109<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      For years, farmers in Parwan Province, Afghanistan, have been facing an increasingly serious threat to their crops, with the problem worsening each growing season. Farmers say that, in recent years, plant pests and diseases have damaged large areas of their vegetable fields and fruit orchards, while also increasing production costs. Despite repeatedly applying chemical pesticides, they often fail to control the pests. Plants and trees continue to dry out, grow slowly, and produce lower yields.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":31181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[990,9,16,30,6],"tags":[2340,409,552,862,1605,2339],"class_list":["post-31177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest","category-soceity","category-report","category-environment","category-afghanistan","tag-pesticides","tag-parwan","tag-climate-change","tag-agriculture","tag-threat","tag-plant-pests"],"views":5,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31177"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31192,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31177\/revisions\/31192"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}