Droughts and a shortage of fodder have made animal husbandry difficult for livestock farmers in most provinces of the country, especially in Badghis. Due to a decrease in fodder, some farmers in this province have been forced to sell some of their livestock to save others. Recently, after heavy snowfall, dozens of sheep in Badghis province have perished due to a shortage of fodder.
Livestock owners in Badghis do not consider livestock farming profitable in the current situation. They say that due to consecutive droughts and a shortage of fodder, they are compelled to send their animals to slaughterhouses early and sell them in herds.
Residents of Badghis, who make a living through livestock farming, say that consecutive droughts have caused a shortage of animal fodder in this province. They add that the price of fodder has sharply increased. These livestock farmers emphasize that they cannot afford the expenses of their livestock and incur more losses every day.
Livestock farmers in Badghis say that due to the drought, this province is facing a shortage of animal fodder, and they are forced to sell some of their livestock at a low price to save the rest.
Abdulbari, a resident of Badghis province, tells the Hasht-e Subh Daily that his lands have not yielded this year, forcing him to sell some of his sheep at a low price to save the rest. He adds, “Our livelihood relies on agriculture and livestock. During rainy years, both our stomachs are full, and our livestock thrive. However, in recent years, severe droughts have threatened our livelihoods and caused concerns for everyone.” He continues, “Each year gets tougher for farmers and livestock owners. Previous years were better than this one. I had to sell 10 of my sheep at a low price so that the rest wouldn’t perish from hunger. Winter hasn’t ended yet, and there’s still a shortage of hay, grass, and barley, and the pasture hasn’t grown tall enough for the sheep to feed on.”
Meanwhile, livestock farmers in Badghis complain about the increase in the price of animal fodder and the decrease in livestock prices in the province. They express grievances against relief agencies for not supporting the farmers, stating that despite promises of assistance and fodder distribution, they haven’t received any help from these organizations even after winter has passed.
A resident of Jawand district in Badghis province tells the Hasht-e Subh Daily, “The drought has reduced sheep prices but increased the costs of straw and fodder. Last year, a ‘man’ (8 kilograms) of straw was priced at 65 Afghanis, whereas now it ranges between 100 to 120 Afghanis due to the lack of leftover straw from the previous year. Barley now costs 180 Afghanis per ‘man’. Additionally, sheep prices have significantly decreased due to their thinness. For instance, last year, a sheep was priced at 10,000 Afghanis, but now it’s 6,500 Afghanis due to the thinness and weakness of the sheep.”
He adds, “In July, we visited the Directorate of Agriculture in Qala-e-Naw, the provincial center, and met with aid agencies, who promised us assistance. However, the year went by without any help or distribution of animal fodder to us farmers. We ended up selling everything we had to feed the sheep. Now, we’re bewildered about the future of our agriculture and livestock amidst this drought.”
Meanwhile, recent images circulating on social media depict that due to snowfall and cold weather, dozens of sheep have perished in this province.
Livestock farmers in Badghis, engaged in animal husbandry, state that the province is currently facing a shortage of animal fodder, and they cannot procure and transport fodder from Herat to Badghis.
Livestock farmers in Badghis worry about the shortage of fodder and the uncertain future of agriculture and livestock due to the drought. The United Nations reported that Afghanistan is enduring its worst drought in the past 30 years, expressing concerns about its impact on the livelihoods of the country’s citizens.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated in a report that the third consecutive year of drought in Afghanistan has exacerbated the country’s challenges and placed Afghanistan’s food insecurity at the highest level globally.
