The Agricultural Landscape Of Afghanistan: Unveiling The Count Of Farms

Afghanistan is a predominantly pastoral country, with agriculture traditionally dominating its economy. About 70% of Afghans live and work in rural areas, mostly on farms, and 61% of households derive income from agriculture. The sector employs 40% of the total workforce, and more than half of Afghans living in rural areas contribute to agriculture.

Agriculture and livestock remain Afghanistan's most important source of employment, with 60-80% of the population working in this sector. However, it accounts for less than a third of the GDP due to insufficient irrigation, drought, lack of market access, and other structural impediments.

Opium production

Opium poppy cultivation has been a significant aspect of Afghanistan's agricultural landscape, but it also poses challenges for the country's economy and society. Here is an overview of the situation regarding opium production in Afghanistan:

Historical Context

Afghanistan has a long history of opium poppy cultivation, dating back to the mid-1950s when it started supplying opium to its neighbour, Iran, after poppy cultivation was banned there. However, Afghanistan's role in the global opium trade expanded significantly in the mid-1970s due to political instability and drought in the Golden Triangle, making it a major supplier to Western Europe and North America. The Soviet invasion and the subsequent civil war disrupted traditional agricultural practices and contributed to the rise of opium production.

Economic Impact

Opium poppy cultivation offers Afghan farmers a higher profit margin compared to traditional crops. With a farm gate price of approximately $125 per kilogram for dry opium (as of 2007), farmers can earn up to 17 times more by growing opium poppy than wheat. Opium is also easier to transport and store, making it a desirable crop in a country where exporting fresh produce is challenging due to the dry climate. The revenue generated from opium production has been substantial, with the trade bringing in over $3 billion in 2006, accounting for more than 35% of the country's gross national product.

Social and Health Impact

The shift towards opium poppy cultivation has had a significant impact on Afghan society. It has disrupted traditional ways of life in villages, altered wealth distribution, and changed social dynamics, particularly between younger and older men. Additionally, opium addiction within Afghanistan has increased, affecting refugees returning from Iran and Pakistan, as well as government staff, farmers, and those in private businesses. Drug use has led to emotional, familial, and legal issues, as well as physical health problems.

Efforts to Combat Opium Production

Afghanistan has witnessed mixed efforts to combat opium production over the years. The Taliban, for instance, banned opium cultivation in 2000 on religious grounds, but this was short-lived due to their deposition in 2001. After regaining power in 2021, the Taliban again banned opium cultivation in April 2022. This ban has been more successful, with poppy cultivation dropping by over 95% according to a UN report. However, the ban has also had negative economic consequences, depriving farmers of a key source of income and potentially contributing to a refugee crisis.

International Response

The international community has recognised the complex nature of opium production in Afghanistan. While the successful implementation of the Taliban's opium ban is seen as a positive step, there is an understanding that a sustainable solution requires more than just eradication. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has emphasised the need for long-term strategies that address the underlying issues, such as providing alternative livelihoods and investing in sustainable development projects.

Food insecurity

Afghanistan has long been an agricultural country, with the sector contributing to a large part of its growth. However, the country has been facing issues with food insecurity for decades.

Causes of Food Insecurity

The primary cause of food insecurity in Afghanistan is conflict and political instability. The Soviet invasion in 1979, the Taliban takeover in 2021, and the subsequent US withdrawal have all disrupted agricultural production and the economy, leading to food shortages and increased poverty. The Taliban's restrictions on women's education and employment have also impacted food security, as women play a significant role in the agricultural sector.

In addition to political instability, Afghanistan is also prone to natural disasters such as droughts and earthquakes, which can destroy crops and displace families, further contributing to food insecurity. The country is heavily reliant on erratic winter snows and spring rains for irrigation, and a lack of modern irrigation systems exacerbates the problem.

The country's economic crisis has also played a significant role in food insecurity. Afghanistan's economy is one of the least developed in the world, with a high unemployment rate and a large portion of the population living below the poverty line. The economic crisis has been exacerbated by international sanctions, which have dried up sources of international aid and foreign investment.

Impact of Food Insecurity

The impact of food insecurity in Afghanistan is widespread and severe. According to the World Food Programme, about 20 million people faced acute hunger in 2022, and over 15 million people face acute food insecurity. The situation is particularly dire for women and children, with malnutrition being a growing concern. The UN estimates that 3.35 million children and pregnant and lactating women required nutrition support in 2020.

The lack of access to food has also led to an increase in extreme coping mechanisms, such as sending children to work and, in some cases, selling children to provide for the family. The crisis has also disrupted the education system, with many children being forced to leave school to support their families.

Addressing Food Insecurity

Several organizations are working to address food insecurity in Afghanistan. The World Food Programme, in partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has been providing emergency food assistance and nutrition support to vulnerable communities. USAID has also facilitated working capital advances for Afghan businesses to help them maintain operations and retain staff.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have also been involved in providing financial support and policy recommendations to improve the agricultural sector and address food insecurity. However, the recent Taliban takeover has led to the suspension of aid from these organizations.

Despite these challenges, there are some positive developments. Afghanistan is expected to become self-sufficient in wheat, rice, poultry, and dairy production by 2026. Additionally, the country has seen an increase in the production of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, which have the potential to create more sustainable and inclusive jobs.

International aid

Afghanistan has long relied on international aid to improve its agricultural sector and reduce its dependence on the opium trade. However, the country has faced challenges in effectively utilising this aid due to corruption, poor coordination, and competing strategies among donors. Here is an overview of the role of international aid in Afghanistan's agricultural sector:

International actors, such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank, have played a significant role in providing aid to Afghanistan's agricultural sector. USAID has focused on improving food security, nutrition, and domestic production, as well as providing knowledge, training, and resources to farmers. Their efforts include increasing the cultivation of crops like wheat, beans, fruits, and vegetables, as well as enhancing the efficiency and profitability of the livestock and dairy sectors. Additionally, USAID has facilitated working capital advances for Afghan businesses to mitigate liquidity challenges. Their apprenticeship program has also helped Afghans, particularly women, gain new skills and find employment.

The World Bank has also scaled up its support for Afghanistan, using International Development Association (IDA) funds to expand its programs and provide job opportunities. Other international organisations, such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC), have provided humanitarian relief and recovery assistance to Afghans affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and economic collapse.

Challenges and Criticisms

While international aid has been significant, there have been challenges and criticisms regarding its effectiveness. Afghanistan received approximately $35 billion in international aid between 2002 and 2009, yet it failed to substantially ease poverty or improve economic and living conditions. Much of the aid has been lost to corruption, with estimates suggesting that 40% of U.S. aid ended up in the pockets of corrupt officials, warlords, criminals, and insurgents.

There are also criticisms regarding the utilisation of aid, with "phantom aid" being a prominent issue. This refers to aid that never reaches the intended recipients, often due to being tied to specific product purchases or spent on technical assistance, inflated salaries, and home office expenses. Donor countries have also prioritised their national reputation by building "quick impact projects" that have little lasting benefit for Afghanistan.

Another challenge is the lack of coordination among donors, resulting in competing strategies and programs that may not address the complex needs of Afghanistan's agricultural sector. There is a perceived lack of funding, poor communication among donors, and a disconnect between aid efforts and the realities on the ground.

Future Prospects

Despite the challenges, there is a continued focus on international efforts to restore Afghanistan's agricultural sector. The Paris Agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and there is a push to transition farmers away from opium poppy cultivation, which has funded the Taliban and contributed to the country's insecurity. However, this transition is complicated by environmental, social, and economic factors, as poppy sales remain a significant source of income for many farmers.

To effectively support Afghanistan's agricultural sector, it is crucial to address the issues of corruption, coordination, and competing strategies among donors. By improving the efficiency and targeting of aid, Afghanistan can harness the benefits of international assistance to drive down poverty, boost economic growth, and improve food security for its population.

Environmental factors

Afghanistan's environmental issues are monitored by the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). These issues predate the political turmoil of the past few decades. Forests have been depleted by centuries of grazing and farming, and these practices have only increased with modern population growth.

Climate Change

In Afghanistan, climate change has led to a temperature increase of 1.8 °C since 1950. This has had far-reaching impacts on the country, stemming from overlapping interactions of natural disasters, conflict, agricultural dependency, and socioeconomic hardship.

Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Droughts, for example, affect Afghanistan to a high degree. Combined with infrequent earthquakes, climate-related disasters such as floods, flash floods, avalanches, and heavy snowfalls affect over 200,000 people every year, causing massive losses of lives, livelihoods, and properties.

Deforestation

Afghans have historically depended on forests for firewood and the revenue generated by exporting pistachios and almonds, which grow in natural woodlands in the central and northern regions. Afghanistan has lost nearly half of its forests, and the remaining denser forests in the eastern provinces are at risk from illegal timber harvesting. As forest cover decreases, the land becomes less productive, threatening the livelihood of the rural population. Loss of vegetation also creates a higher risk of floods, which endanger people and cause soil erosion and a decrease in agricultural land.

Water Supply

Most of Afghanistan's freshwater flow runs into neighbouring countries, which does not benefit Afghanistan. The primary threat to Afghanistan's water supply is drought, which often creates food shortages. In response to drought, deep wells for irrigation have been drilled, which has decreased the underground water level and further drained groundwater resources. To address this, more dams and reservoirs are being built across the country.

According to UNICEF, only around 67% of Afghanistan's population has access to clean drinking water. This number is expected to increase in the future, especially after the completion of the Qosh Tepa Canal and the Shahtoot Dam.

Air Pollution

Air pollution in Afghanistan's major cities is becoming a serious problem for public health. Over 2,000 Kabul residents die from air pollution each year, largely due to vehicle emissions. Nationally, an estimated 5,000 people die from air pollution.

Waste Management

Afghanistan has long lacked a proper sewage system. In 2002, the United Nations Environment Programme found that a lack of waste management systems was creating dangerous conditions in several urban areas. Human waste was contained in open sewers, which flowed into the Kabul River and contaminated the city's drinking water.

Urban dumpsites have been used in lieu of managed landfills in Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat, often without protection for nearby rivers and groundwater supplies. Medical waste from hospitals is sometimes disposed of in dumpsites with the rest of the cities' waste, contaminating water and air with bacteria and viruses.

Environmental Impacts of War

The ongoing environmental impacts of war in Afghanistan, from the 1979 Soviet-Afghan War to the 2021 United States' withdrawal, adversely affect the health of Afghan civilians and American veterans, infrastructure, the labour force, and social structures. Environmental impacts include the open-air burn pits of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the degradation of traditional irrigation systems.

The DoD used open-pit burning as the dominant method to dispose of waste from their military bases until 2013. The burn pits produced hazardous emissions that have been linked to chronic and sometimes fatal illnesses. Their burning, in proximity to Afghan communities and farmland, produced toxic fumes that contaminated air, food crops, and waterways.

Between 1979 and 2014, the hectares of irrigated land declined by 40%. The failure of irrigation systems can be attributed to the physical destruction and social, economic, and political consequences of wars during this period. The institutional and economic collapse has been particularly disruptive given the labour and financial intensiveness of traditional irrigation systems. This collapse, and the violence, have also driven migration away from these systems, which are located in rural areas. Furthermore, irrigation tunnels have been damaged by blasting in the Soviet and Afghan militaries' underground warfare and the construction of US military bases.

Economic factors

Afghanistan's economy is largely driven by agriculture, which has traditionally contributed to a large part of its growth. The sector employs 40% of the total workforce, with 60-80% of the population working in agriculture. Most Afghan farmers are primarily subsistence farmers.

Agriculture and animal husbandry, including pastoral nomadism, are the most important elements of the country's GDP, accounting for nearly half of its total value. However, the country's arable land is limited, with only about 12% of the total land area being arable, and less than 6% currently cultivated. This is partly due to the country's arid or semi-arid climate, which requires irrigation for about half of the cultivated land.

The main crops grown in Afghanistan include wheat, barley, corn, rice, potatoes, cotton, and various fruits and nuts. While wheat is the most common crop, there is a lack of crop diversity, making farm households vulnerable to stagnant or declining wheat prices. Opium poppy cultivation is also prevalent, despite efforts by the government to replace this industry.

Agricultural production in Afghanistan is constrained by several factors, including a reliance on erratic winter snows and spring rains for irrigation, limited use of machinery, chemical fertilisers, and pesticides. Additionally, the country's ongoing conflict has rendered large areas of land unusable due to landmines, and has caused significant population displacement, further reducing the available labour force for agriculture.

Despite these challenges, agriculture in Afghanistan has the potential to drive down poverty and boost sustained economic growth. Diversification towards high-value agriculture, such as fruits, vegetables, and livestock, can increase income and employment. Additionally, improving infrastructure and market access for farmers can help raise productivity and support job creation.

Afghanistan's economy has also been impacted by the recent reestablishment of the Taliban government, which led to a temporary suspension of international development aid and a decline in the country's GDP. However, the economy has begun showing signs of revival, with stable exchange rates, low inflation, and rising trade in exports.

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