The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says 468 families in Badghis, Bamyan, Ghazni, Kunar and Paktia provinces have received solar cookers, an initiative that the organization says will reduce fuel consumption and related pollution.
FAO said on Sunday, September 27, that using solar cookers reduces families’ reliance on firewood, shrubs, dried animal dung and gas, thereby lowering the cost and time required to obtain fuel.
According to the organization, reducing the collection of firewood from rangelands can help protect vegetation and reduce pressure on natural resources.
FAO said rangelands are an important source of fodder, food and income for herding and agro-pastoral communities in Bamyan. However, overgrazing and cutting shrubs have contributed to the degradation of these rangelands.
According to FAO data, more than 77,190 hectares of rangeland in Bamyan have been restored through the project since 2018.
The organization said methods used to restore the rangelands include rotational grazing, controlled grazing and direct seeding of alfalfa and local forage species.
FAO added that the initiative aims to strengthen communities’ resilience to climate change, support rural women and improve the livelihoods of herding communities.
