Kunduz is one of the fertile provinces in northeastern Afghanistan. Farmers in this province have consistently complained about the neglect of mechanized agriculture and the prevention of plant diseases. They have called for cooperation from government authorities and UN agencies. Recently, some farmers in this province have reported a decrease in cotton yields. However, the Taliban claim that cotton production has increased by 10% this year. According to the Taliban officials, last year, 10,033 metric tons of cotton were harvested in Kunduz province. Some residents of Kunduz accuse the Taliban of providing “false” statistics. They claim that farmers collect the produce, but the Taliban report the figures.
Some farmers in Kunduz province claim that this year, cotton cultivation has not yielded much. However, Taliban authorities have reported a 10% increase in cotton production in the province. Kunduz farmers attribute the noticeable decrease in yields to the prevalence of plant diseases and water shortages during the cotton growth season. These farmers, both men and women, are engaged in cotton farming and use it to address their economic and livelihood challenges. In some rural areas of this province, women participate in collecting cotton in the fields.
Nik Mohammad, one of the farmers in the Chahar Dara district of Kunduz, tells the Hasht-e Subh Daily that this year, due to the prevalence of plant diseases and water shortages, their yields have significantly decreased. He says, “Cotton yields this year are much lower compared to last year because of the lack of water and the presence of pests. Every year, I cultivate about 7.4 acres of land for cotton, and I usually gather between 5 to 6 metric tons of cotton, but this year, I have only gathered close to 3 metric tons of cotton.”
Gholam is another farmer who, in addition to complaining about reduced yields, is also expressing concerns about the low prices of this crop. He says, “We used to irrigate cotton through river water, but due to water scarcity, we were forced to irrigate cotton with well water, which costs around 6,000 to 7,000 Afghanis per 2,000 square meters. The yields have decreased by 50% compared to last year. Last year, we harvested approximately 840 kilograms of cotton, but this year, we’ve only gathered approximately 280 kilograms. We usually get around 210 kilograms of cotton from each 2,000 square meter.”
This is happening while the authorities in charge of agriculture, irrigation, and livestock in Kunduz, under Taliban management, state that approximately 4,505 hectares of land in this province have been cultivated with cotton this year. According to them, 11,037 metric tons of cotton have been harvested, marking a 10% increase compared to the previous year.
Salahuddin Wahidi, the officer responsible for agricultural affairs in this department, attributes the increase in yields to the distribution of improved seeds. He claims, “The reason for the increased cotton yields is the distribution of improved seeds and the introduction of cultivation methods for farmers by the agricultural authorities, as well as the control of diseases and pests by agricultural staff.”
On the other hand, the cotton harvesting season provides an opportunity for rural and impoverished women to work for a few days. Some of these women collect cotton from morning till evening in exchange for a meager sum to cover their basic expenses.
Hawa, who is nearly 50 years old, is responsible for a 15-member family and is forced to work in cotton fields during the day to earn a small income. She says, “I come here at 8:00 or 9:00 AM daily. In a day, I can pick 14 to 21 kilograms of cotton, and I receive less than 100 Afghanis for each 7 kilograms. We have 12 destitute women and children at home, and we have no male laborers. The young ones can pick up to around 70 kilograms of cotton per day, but someone like me can only manage about 21 kilograms a day. Cotton picking makes us sick, and we get cold. We ask the government [ the Taliban] to assist us.”
Shirin is another woman who, in the cotton fields of others, works as a cotton picker during the day to secure a piece of bread. She says, “In a day, we pick around 28 to 35 kilograms of cotton. In the past, they used to pay 25 Afghanis for each 7 kilograms or a Seer, but now they pay 30 Afghanis. From my family, four of us are here, and each of us picks between 35 to 70 kilograms of cotton per day. I’ve been picking cotton up to this age. I have no male laborer to work for me. I have two sons who live separately. I’m a widow.”
These women are engaged in strenuous work while many women are prohibited by the Taliban from working in government and non-governmental offices, and thousands of other girls and women are deprived of their right to education, employment, and work.
It’s worth noting that cotton produced in Kunduz is purchased by government and private companies. After processing, the cotton is made available for sale and export in the form of cotton lint, and cotton seeds are used to produce oil.
Note:
1 Seer = 7.07 kg
1 Jareeb (land measurement) = 2,000 square meters (standardized)
