Several agriculture and environment experts say soil erosion has become a serious and growing problem in Afghanistan. According to them, based on some research, about 80 percent of Afghanistan’s soil has been eroded. These experts add that the soil erosion process in the country continues at an increasing pace, with various factors contributing to its intensification. In their view, climate change, reduced vegetation cover, deforestation, and heavy rainfall are among the most significant factors behind soil erosion in Afghanistan. They emphasize that in recent years, the intensity of floods and droughts has increased, which has resulted in the washing away of fertile soil layers in many parts of the country.
These experts, speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, warn that the continuation of this situation could pave the way for the spread of desertification in Afghanistan and significantly reduce agricultural production in the long run. According to them, to prevent this trend, preserving vegetation cover, expanding forest restoration programs, and promoting proper cultivation and land management practices among farmers are among the necessary measures.
These experts believe that if serious and urgent measures are not taken to control soil erosion, this phenomenon could become one of the greatest environmental and economic threats facing Afghanistan in the coming years.
Mohammad Salem Saie, one of the agriculture experts, says that Afghanistan is among the countries that have been severely affected by the consequences of climate change, particularly soil erosion. According to him, reduced vegetation cover, strong winds, and irregular rainfall have caused the transfer of topsoil layers and have led to a decline in the fertility of agricultural land. He warns that in some areas, the intensity of erosion has reached a point where part of the agricultural land has gone out of production.
This agriculture expert adds: “Afghanistan has been severely affected by soil erosion. The lack of green cover and the occurrence of heavy, out-of-season rainfall cause topsoil layers to be carried away as mud and silt. This situation has made agricultural land shallow and, in some areas, has caused the land to lose its capacity to produce crops.” According to Saie, insufficient attention has been paid to the issue of soil erosion in Afghanistan, and every year, particularly during the rainy season and with the onset of strong autumn winds, a significant portion of agricultural land is exposed to erosion. He says the consequences of this trend will have a negative impact on the quality and productivity of the land for many years to come.
This expert continues: “Lands with less vegetation cover or sandy soil texture are more exposed to erosion. Likewise, sloped lands in areas with strong winds, whether due to wind erosion or the effect of rainfall, suffer greater damage and gradually lose their fertility.”
Mr. Saie emphasizes that to prevent soil erosion, scientific land management methods, the creation of vegetation cover, the cultivation of plants suited to the soil type, and conservation programs should be used. According to him, the development of orchards, the cultivation of deep-rooted plants, and the proper management of sloped lands can play an effective role in reducing erosion and preserving soil fertility.
Qutbuddin Yaqoubi, another agriculture expert, says that soil is one of the most essential resources for agricultural production in Afghanistan, and its erosion directly affects the level of agricultural production. According to him, given that a large portion of the people of Afghanistan depend on agriculture, protecting soil and agricultural land is of particular importance.
Mr. Yaqoubi adds that factors such as drought, floods, improper land use, the expansion of substandard construction, and the destruction of natural resources have played a major role in increasing soil erosion in the country.
This expert says: “Soil is the main foundation of agricultural production, and any erosion of it directly affects the quantity and quality of agricultural products. Unfortunately, in Afghanistan, factors such as drought, floods, improper land use, substandard construction, and the destruction of natural resources have contributed to increased soil erosion. As a result, many agricultural lands have lost their fertility, and their production capacity has declined.”
Mr. Yaqoubi adds, “Climate change has intensified this problem in recent years. Sudden floods, successive droughts, and other natural events have not only damaged agricultural land but have also affected the country’s food security. If effective programs are not implemented to manage water and soil resources, protect forests and pastures, and develop standard agricultural methods, Afghanistan will face more serious challenges in the agriculture and environment sectors in the future.”
Kazem Homayoun, an environmental expert, says that soil erosion in Afghanistan has reached an alarming stage, and climate change has played a significant role in intensifying this trend. According to him, heavy, out-of-season rainfall, as well as an increase in dust storms, has caused the destruction of fertile soil layers in many parts of the country.
Mr. Homayoun says, “Soil erosion is directly linked to climate change. Heavy, out-of-season rainfall destroys the topsoil layer, and once this layer is destroyed, the land loses its fertility and gradually moves toward desertification.”
Homayoun adds that the loss of the topsoil layer not only affects agricultural production but also reduces the land’s capacity to absorb and retain water. According to him, as a result of this situation, rainwater turns into floods instead of seeping into the ground, causing further damage to agricultural land. He warns that the continuation of this trend could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s food security and economy.
This expert says: “Based on some research, about 80 percent of Afghanistan’s soil faces the risk of erosion and reduced fertility. If measures are not taken to protect the soil, develop vegetation cover, and properly manage agricultural land, Afghanistan will face a serious crisis in the agriculture and natural resources sector in the future.”
Previously, the United Nations, in a statement marking June 17, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, warned that more than half of Afghanistan’s population has been affected by the consequences of drought and land degradation. The organization added that the continuation of droughts has made the agriculture sector, which is the main source of income for millions of people in rural areas, increasingly vulnerable.
The UN also emphasized the need to restore pastures, ensure sustainable land management, and protect natural resources, stating that investment in land and natural resource protection is essential to combat the spread of desertification and reduce the effects of climate change.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
فرسایش خاک در افغانستان؛ کارشناسان از گسترش تهدید علیه زمینهای زراعتی هشدار میدهند
