MAIMANA, Afghanistan — In the drought-stricken province of Faryab, farmers say their livelihoods are hanging by a thread as water scarcity and prolonged dry spells continue to devastate agriculture.
Dozens of farmers are now looking to the Qosh Tepa canal — a long-awaited irrigation project — as their last hope for salvaging the growing season. Without its arrival, they warn, thousands of acres of farmland will remain barren.
“The water in Andkhoy is salty. There’s no flowing water here — only wells, and that water is bitter,” said Nazar Mohammad, a local farmer struggling to maintain his crops. “Everyone is waiting for water from the canal. If it had arrived earlier, many of our problems would have been solved. This land only needs water — nothing else.”
Faryab, a predominantly agrarian province in northern Afghanistan, has suffered repeated droughts in recent years. Farmers in the region say many agricultural lands have been left idle, and food insecurity is deepening in the countryside.
In addition to the lack of irrigation, farmers cite problems with the storage and sale of agricultural produce. Without infrastructure to preserve harvests, many are forced to sell their crops at a loss or let them go to waste.
Despite the hardships, farming remains a lifeline for many across Afghanistan’s districts and rural villages. However, economists warn that without government support, recurring droughts, poor irrigation systems, and insufficient market access will continue to push rural communities deeper into poverty.
“The only way to curb unemployment and foster economic growth in Afghanistan is to invest in agriculture and support local farmers,” said one agricultural economist, calling for a national strategy to address water scarcity and food insecurity.
With each passing season, farmers like Nazar Mohammad say they are growing more anxious — not just about this year’s crops, but about the future of farming itself in Afghanistan.
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