FAO calls for financial support for Afghanistan

Kabul/Rome, 22 November 2021 (TDI): The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations called for financial support for Afghanistan; on 19 November. According to FAO, that support is to keep agricultural production going.

The organization is assisting Afghan farmers and herders, but they urged immediate support to keep agricultural production going. According to the note, today 18.8 million Afghans are facing acute food insecurity. FAO then warned that statistics estimate this number to increase to 22.8 million people.

FAO’s assistance 

The support of FAO to farmers and herders is through seeds, fertilizers, cash, and financial support. This is to avoid the worsening of the situation. The Director-General of FAO, Qu Dongyu, stressed the need for investment in agriculture and livestock. He then added that this investment helps donors to save money, and this is by putting the country back on track.

According to FAO, a wheat cultivation assistance package costs $157, and this package enables a farm family to meet its cereal needs. FAO also mentioned that $1080 is required to cover the minimum food needs of an average family. The organization then remarked that Afghanistan depends on agriculture, for at least 25% of the GDP.

AGHAN DEPENDENCE ON AGRICULTURE

Regarding the livelihoods, it is estimated that 80% depend directly or indirectly on agriculture. The note mentioned that the organization needs 115 million to be able to reach five million women, men, and children.

Out of the 115 million, approximately one of five dollars are to support women. In 2022, FAO estimates to need an additional 85 million, to fund its humanitarian response. FAO wants to prevent the worsening of livelihoods, and displacement.

The organization is currently distributing wheat cultivation packages across 31 provinces. FAO is distributing them for Afghanistan’s winter wheat season. The packages include high-quality wheat seeds, and also technical training to guarantee the best results.

Currently, FAO remarked that the campaign is reaching 1.3 million people, to maintain their livelihoods. The organization is stepping up its humanitarian support towards farmers in the large rural areas, where most Afghans live.

TESTIMONIES FROM AFGHAN FARMERS AND TRENCHARD’S STATEMENT

A farmer from the village, Safar Khan, Esmatullah Mirzada, gave testimony on the campaign’s impact on him. Khan stated that without the seeds, the farmers wouldn’t be able to cultivate wheat this year. But FAO remarked that to ensure the survival of rural families, like protecting their livestock, to keep them alive and healthy.

The Representative of FAO in Afghanistan, Richard Trenchard, remarked farmers must continue to grow food for their families and also for the country. It is necessary because they also need money in their pockets. Trenchard then added that Agriculture can’t wait because Afghans cant wait.

Trenchard recently ended a field visit to drought-ravaged areas in Zendajan district, in the province of Herat. He met internally displaced Afghans that are living on the outskirts of Herat. According to him, they were farmers from Ghor and had been forced to leave their rural land.

Trenchard said that the situation is precarious because almost every farmer that they spoke with has lost almost all of their crops this year. In consequence of this, many farmers had to sell their livestock, because they have accumulated debts, but have no money.

Helalading Najmadin, a farmer from Qalae rig village, gave testimony too. According to Najmadin, the drought, covid-19, and the conflict has put them in a precarious situation. Najmadin then mentioned also the destruction of their properties and livestock, and because they didn’t have enough seeds, fertilizer, or water, they weren’t able to harvest wheat.

CALL FOR IMMEDIATE SUPPORT 

The note then mentioned that the widespread droughts will worsen the country. The Farmers and herders will probably have to face the second year of drought in 2022. La Niña phenomena will bring drier than normal conditions to Afghanistan.

The situation will worsen the food insecurity in 2022 unless immediate support arrives soon to protect them. Prices continue to increase dramatically, and the needs continue to outpace the resources provided.

With the assistance of FAO, the provision of animal food, and deworming, can keep up to 8.4 million livestock well-fed and productive. The assistance also includes maintaining household dairy production, and support related income sources by $35 a week.

With cash for work, and targeting the at-risk Afghans, provides lifesaving cash through rural areas. FAO also wants to improve access to water during droughts, by rehabilitating the water catchments, and watering points for livestock.