In western Afghanistan farmlands turn to dust amid drought

In recent years, alongside other provinces in Afghanistan, Ghor has been severely affected by drought, forcing many residents to migrate to other areas.

Several farmers in the province report that this year, due to the lack of rainfall and ongoing drought, their crops have dried up and they have yielded no harvest.

Gholam Hazrat, a resident of Ghor who cultivates rainfed lands, says that his crops had no chance to grow because of the absence of rain this year. He explains:

"In previous years, we were able to harvest enough from these rainfed lands every season. But this year, no rain fell. We planted wheat, but it didn’t turn green. We suffered financial losses and got no yield."

In the Yakhun Sofla area of Teyora district, the drought has been so severe that farmers were looking to the sky in hope of rain. This year, not only did they fail to get any crops, but the money spent on seeds and planting also went to waste.

Ghawsuddin, a local farmer, warns that if aid organizations do not take effective steps for water management and the distribution of drought-resistant seeds, people will be forced to leave their homes, and hunger will rise.

"We spent money on tractors and seeds, but without rain, it was all wasted. Land is scarce here, so our only hope is rainfall for crops to grow," he says.

Nabiullah, a 47-year-old resident of Tulak district, reports that he planted approximately 800 kg of wheat this year, but due to the lack of rain and severe drought, all his efforts were lost. He worries about how he will provide food for his nine-member family.

"I planted more than 80 man of wheat on my rainfed land, hoping it would grow with the rain. But no rain came, and now I am deeply concerned about feeding my family," he says.

Across many districts in Ghor, farmers have lost their crops due to low rainfall and harsh drought conditions, receiving no harvest at all.

Agricultural experts believe that in recent years, climate change, reduced rainfall, and rising temperatures have prevented farmers from obtaining sufficient yields, particularly from rainfed lands. They suggest that the only solutions include adopting new water management techniques, providing drought-resistant seeds, and constructing small dams to improve water availability.