Afghanistan forecasts 13% growth in wheat production for 2024

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock projected a 13% increase in wheat production for the year 2024 compared to the previous year. Misbahuddin Mustaeen, the ministry’s spokesperson, stated that over 2 mn hectares of land were cultivated with wheat, producing an estimated nearly 5 mn metric tons.

“While we have not yet achieved self-sufficiency and still rely on imports, this progress is promising. We will continue to expand our agricultural areas and efforts as we have in the past two years,” Mustaeen said. He highlighted that 6% more land was cultivated with wheat this year than last, and ongoing initiatives aim to further expand cultivation and improve seed quality to reach self-sufficiency.

Farmers in the southern regions of Afghanistan reported satisfactory wheat production this year despite previous droughts. “We harvested good wheat this year, and it was a very good year,” said Abdul Hakim, a farmer. However, some farmers have faced challenges due to floods damaging wheat fields in certain provinces.

“Rain and hail destroyed ten acres of my land. Our request from the government is to build retaining walls,” said Homayoun, a resident of Darzab district in Jawzjan.

The Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock has urged officials to assist farmers whose lands were damaged by recent floods. “On behalf of the country’s farmers, we propose that the destroyed lands be surveyed and assistance be provided to the affected farmers,” said Mirwais Haji Zada, deputy of the Chamber of Agriculture and Irrigation.

Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock indicate that Afghanistan needs almost 7 mn metric tons of wheat annually, which represents the largest agricultural cultivation area in the country.

Tags: wheat, drought, Afghanistan, estimate, Production