Goat Population In Afghanistan: A Surprising Count

Afghanistan is home to a variety of goat species, both domesticated and wild. The Asmari goat, a large breed used as a pack animal and for meat and milk, is native to the Kunar province. The country also has about nine million cashmere goats, though only 30% of them are harvested for wool. In an attempt to boost the country's cashmere industry, the Pentagon spent $6 million on a project to import nine rare blond male goats from Italy to Afghanistan, but this project ultimately failed. In addition to domesticated goats, Afghanistan is also home to rare wild goat species such as the markhor and the Siberian ibex, which are of conservation concern. Buzkashi, the national sport of Afghanistan, involves horse-mounted players attempting to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal.

The US spent $6 million on a failed goat farm in Afghanistan

The US Department of Defense spent $6 million on a failed goat farm in Afghanistan. The project, called "cashmere support", was an attempt to boost the local cashmere industry by importing nine rare Italian male goats to mate with female Afghan goats. The Pentagon spent $6.1 million shipping the goats to Afghanistan, constructing a farm and laboratory, and enlisting staff. However, the project was poorly managed, and the Pentagon failed to track its spending or the outcomes of the project. The goats may have been eaten, and only two of the Italian goats were still usable due to a disease outbreak.

The cashmere support programme was just one example of the vast and unnecessary costs incurred by the Task Force for Business Stability Operations (TFBSO), a US Department of Defence agency that spent some $800 million to try to stimulate the Afghan economy. At a Senate hearing, John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, testified that many TFBSO projects were managed poorly or not at all and suffered from "waste, fraud and abuse". In addition to the failed goat farm, other examples of failed initiatives included a $7.5 million plan to boost carpet sales and a $3 million fruit and vegetable storage facility that was never used.

The US has spent approximately $1 trillion on combat and reconstruction in Afghanistan over the past 14 years. The $6 million spent on the failed goat farm may seem like a small amount in comparison, but it is indicative of the waste and lack of planning that characterised many US aid efforts in the country. As lawmaker Pramila Jayapal warned, the Biden administration's approach to Afghanistan could cost him voters in 2024.

Goats are used in Afghanistan's national sport, buzkashi

Afghanistan's national sport, Buzkashi, is a traditional game that involves two teams on horseback attempting to pull a headless, dead goat to a designated area in a field. The sport's name in English roughly translates to "goat pulling", and it has been played across Central Asia for hundreds of years. Buzkashi is a passion in Afghanistan, with matches often taking place on Fridays and drawing thousands of fans.

The game is believed to have originated with the Turkic-Mongol people and is indigenous to the people of Northern Afghanistan. It is typically played with a goat or calf carcass, which is decapitated, gutted, and soaked in water for 24 hours to toughen it up before the game. The use of a goat carcass may seem alarming, but it is important to consider the cultural and historical context of the sport.

There are two main types of Buzkashi: Tudabarai and Qarajai. In Tudabarai, the goal is to grab the goat and move in any direction away from the other players. Qarajai is more complex, requiring the player to carry the calf around a marker and throw the carcass into the "Circle of Justice".

The sport requires skill, agility, and horsemanship. Riders usually wear heavy clothing and head protection to protect themselves from whips and boots. The boots have high heels that lock into the saddle, aiding the rider in leaning over to pick up the goat. Horses used in Buzkashi also undergo rigorous training to minimize the risk of injury.

Buzkashi is not just a game in Afghanistan; it is a way of life. It reflects the country's history, power dynamics, and cultural values. The sport is often sponsored by wealthy Afghans, who provide prizes such as money, fine clothes, or turbans. The best Buzkashi players, known as "chapandaz", are usually in their forties and have undergone extensive training.

Despite facing criticism from animal rights activists, Buzkashi remains a beloved tradition in Afghanistan, with a rich history and passionate following.

The Asmari goat is a breed originating in Afghanistan's Kunar province

The Asmari goat is a general-purpose breed, well-adapted to local conditions, which makes them an important resource for local farmers. They are used as pack animals and are also farmed for their meat and milk. Over a 120-day lactation period, the breed produces 90 kg of milk. They also produce 500-700 grams of pashmina fibre a year, and their hair is traditionally used to make ropes and tents.

The Asmari goat is an ancient breed that has adapted to different climates and living conditions. They are resilient and can thrive in harsh environments. This adaptability, combined with their multiple uses, makes them a valuable asset for small-scale farmers.

The Asmari goat holds cultural significance in Afghanistan and is expected to remain a crucial part of Afghan life for years to come.

Afghanistan has about nine million cashmere goats

Afghanistan is home to about nine million cashmere goats. However, only 30% of these are harvested, with the rest being used for food and their hides being exported. In the past, the cashmere was shorn and woven into carpets and tents for local use.

In 2007, a USAID venture called the Accelerating Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) teamed up with Abdul Basir Hotak, a 15-year veteran of the Afghan cashmere industry. Together, they installed the country's first scouring and de-hairing equipment, allowing Hotak to process and add value to the fibre in-country. ASAP also provided herders with veterinary assistance and training in how to harvest the cashmere through combing rather than shearing, which dramatically improved the quality of the raw fibre and the price it could fetch.

Despite these efforts, Afghanistan remains a distant third in terms of global cashmere production, with China and Mongolia leading the way. In an attempt to boost Afghanistan's cashmere industry, the Pentagon once funded a $6 million project to import nine rare blond male goats from Italy to breed with native Afghan goats, hoping to improve the animals' undercoats and the quality of the cashmere they yield. The project included the construction of a farm and a lab facility where staff would certify the cashmere's quality. However, this project ultimately failed, with many of the goats getting sick and dying.

Rare wild goat species have been sighted in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is home to a diverse range of wildlife, and recent reports have emerged of rare wild goat species being sighted in the country. Zalmai Moheb, an ecologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society's Afghanistan Program and a doctoral candidate in environmental conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has documented the presence of two rare Asian wild goat species through direct observation for the first time.

The two species observed are the markhor (*Capra falconeri*), also known as the screw-horned goat, and the Siberian ibex (*Capra sibirica*). Both species are considered a conservation concern and are likely hunted by local tribesmen, despite being nominally protected.

The field surveys, conducted from July to October 2011, took place in northern Afghanistan, along the Amu Darya River in four districts of the country's northern Badakhshan Province. The research ecologists visited 46 villages and four field sites, most of them in valleys, covering a significant area of land.

In the Shahr-e Buzurg district, 61% of respondents (41 out of 67) confirmed the presence of markhor, which were once abundant but have declined in numbers. The researchers directly observed four markhor in the Payan-e Moor area, and local hunters estimated around 20 markhor in the area.

In the Darwaz region, 37% of respondents (15 out of 40) reported the existence of markhor in the western part of the district, and the researchers observed six animals and four pairs of markhor horns. Additionally, 56% of respondents (74 out of 131) confirmed the presence of ibex in some parts of the region and showed the researchers skins and horns.

The ecologists believe that the markhor populations in Shahr-e Buzurg are small and may only survive due to animals coming in from Tajikistan. In contrast, the markhor populations in Leiwgard in the Kof Ab district of Darwaz appear larger and more stable but are still linked to nearby Tajik populations.

The strip of land along the Amu Darya River is identified as a priority site for future conservation efforts for these rare goat species and other endangered wildlife, such as the snow leopard. By coordinating conservation efforts with the adjacent protected area in Tajikistan, unique habitats and endangered species can be preserved.

These findings highlight the importance of taking conservation management actions to protect these rare wild goat species and promote biodiversity in Afghanistan.

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