HERAT, Afghanistan — Farmers in the western province of Herat are being forced to sell their onion crops at sharply reduced prices, citing a lack of domestic support and assistance from aid organizations.
The farmers point to water shortages and the scarcity of chemical fertilizers as significant hurdles to their productivity. Ehsanullah, a farmer on the outskirts of Herat city, said he invested more than 150,000 Afghanis (about $1,700) in his onion fields, but a lack of cold storage options in Herat has forced him to sell his harvest at low prices.
“I spent 150,000 Afghanis on this onion field,” Ehsanullah said. “It’s still unclear whether it will turn a profit or result in a loss. Assistance with fertilizers would make a big difference.”
Other farmers in the region echoed similar concerns. Ghulam Hazrat, a local farmer, described the challenges they face in meeting basic agricultural needs. “Farmers need access to water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides to sustain their crops,” he said.
Herat is one of Afghanistan’s main onion-producing regions. During the summer, onion prices fall as low as 10 Afghanis (about $0.11) per kilogram, but they can skyrocket to 150 Afghanis ($1.70) per kilogram in the winter. Without proper storage facilities, however, farmers have little choice but to sell at the low summer prices, leaving them with slim margins and little hope for profit.
