Many residents in Badghis province report that unemployment and economic problems have left them impoverished, and unable to afford sacrificial animals or sweets for Eid. These residents state that although the price of dried fruits has significantly decreased compared to previous years, the lack of income and a crippled economy have prevented them from making any preparations for Eid.
Similarly, livestock breeders and shopkeepers in Badghis report that the market has stagnated this year, with people not coming to purchase goods. These business owners mention that the Badghis market has never been this inactive during Eid in recent years.
Abdul Hamid, who owns a shop in Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital of Badghis province, has been in this business for years. He states that the poverty of families has resulted in poor sales of dried fruits during Eid. He adds that despite the reduced prices of dried fruits compared to previous years, people still do not come to buy. Abdul Hamid explains: “With each Eid, the economic situation of the people deteriorates. During the last Eid, I brought a lot of sweets and dried fruits, but they didn’t sell. This Eid, I brought less, but still couldn’t sell because very few people come, and only a handful buy sweets for Eid.”
This resident of Badghis clarifies: “Prices have dropped significantly compared to last year. For example, the price of one kilogram of chickpeas and raisins is 80 to 90 afghanis lower than last year, but people still don’t buy because they cannot afford it.”
Baz Mohammad, who brought nearly 50 livestock to Qala-e-Naw for sale, says that people are not coming to buy sacrificial animals and he has not been able to sell them so far. Baz Mohammad says: “I brought 50 goats and sheep to Qala-e-Naw. So far, I have only sold two sheep. People come, but when I price a male goat at 6,000 afghanis and a ewe at 8,000 to 9,000 afghanis, no one buys.” He emphasizes: “This year has been disastrous for livestock breeders as well. We spent 4,000 to 5,000 afghanis on fodder for each sheep. Now we sell them for 6,000 to 8,000 Afghanis, which doesn’t cover our costs. This year, people are not buying sacrificial animals, and we can’t transport the livestock elsewhere. Livestock owners are suffering.”
Residents of Badghis, who sustain their livelihood through agriculture and livestock, state that recent years of drought and persistent unemployment have slowed their economic cycle.
Abdul Razzaq, another resident of Badghis province, explains: “Our only source of income is farming, agriculture, and livestock, which have been adversely affected by drought in recent years. This Eid came at a time when pistachio and cumin harvests are not yet ready, so people cannot afford to buy sacrificial animals or sweets for Eid, except for a few previously wealthy.”
Ghiasuddin, another resident of Badghis, says that the economic situation of the people in this province is concerning, and people are more focused on feeding themselves rather than buying sacrificial animals or sweets for Eid. He adds: “Buying sacrificial animals and Eid sweets is a well-established tradition, and everyone should have at least something for their Eid table; however, people are currently hungry and have nothing because there is no work. Without income, life becomes very difficult, which is exactly our situation.”
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
بیکاری و مشکلات اقتصادی؛ باشندهگان بادغیس توان خرید قربانی و شیرینی عید را ندارند | روزنامه ۸صبح