Afghanistan, with roaring seas, snow-capped mountains and wide groundwater, has only 10 to 20 percent of its lands cultivated, a challenge previous governments failed to overcome.
The lack of hydro-power dams and failure of the related organs to extend streams for irrigation purposes has caused farmlands in the country to turn into scorching plains and the people to remain in a state of poverty and misery.
Afghanistan enjoys 75 billion cubic meters of water in a year, most of which flows to neighboring countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
In recent years, the ministries of agriculture and rural rehabilitation and development, and water and energy have failed to prevent water from flowing into neighboring countries with no or less benefit.
Over the past 20 years, Afghanistan, with tens of billions of dollars in foreign aid, has not been able to improve agriculture or pay little attention to the agriculture sector, while the large amount could have been used in building dams on the Amu River, which could almost cover all barren lands in the northern and northeastern provinces as well as build hydro-power plants.
It should be noted that the developed countries have first begun from agriculture. They increased crop production, such as wheat, corn, barley, cotton, sesame, bean, etc., which have now turned into an industry with the growth of agriculture.
Despite the increase in agricultural equipment and agricultural mechanization, people are still using almost ancient ways of agriculture in the remote areas of the country’s provinces.
As it’s clear, eighty percent of Afghanistan’s economy depends on agriculture and agriculture can highly develop, when farmers are provided with modern mechanized farming equipment and modified seeds and fertilizer.
In recent years, the organs concerned including the ministry of rural rehabilitation and development (MRRD) has done more for the agricultural sector, but in no way has it met the needs of the farmers.
They have not been taken accountable for their failure and recklessness, something faced the country with serious damage in all areas, especially in the field of agriculture.
Now as, the Islamic Emirate is in power, it is necessary to pay attention in all areas. It should use the country’s waters for both irrigation purposes and construction of dams.
As corrupt officials are no longer in the government body or they are fired of their previous posts, the authorities of the Islamic Emirate can draw attention of the aid organizations such as the World Food Program (WFP), agriculture organization and other charitable foundations to develop the country’s agricultural sector.
Meanwhile, in the coming year, harsh drought is feared to come and affect the country, lands, particularly rain-fed farmlands will dry up. So, the Islamic Emirate should take it seriously. Mohammad Daud
Abundant water, less than 20 pc of arable lands
