Farmers in Herat say they are struggling with high fertilizer prices and falling crop yields as winter sets in, adding that they no longer receive the agricultural support previously provided.
Growers told Amu that they previously received support from public institutions and aid organisations, including subsidised fertilizer and agricultural training, but said such assistance has largely disappeared this year.
Mohammad, a farmer preparing to harvest his crops, said water shortages and high fertilizer prices were among his biggest challenges.
“In past years, the government helped us with fertilizer distribution, but this year there has been no support,” he said. “A single sack now costs 4,600 afghanis. Whatever we earn, we spend on fertilizer.”
Others said the lack of export routes and poor domestic markets meant their produce now sells at steep losses. Farmers blamed the continued closure of key border crossings with Pakistan — a major destination for Herat’s onion exports — for the slump in prices.
“Our traders could not export onions to Pakistan this year,” said Qurban, another farmer. “Here, no one buys our produce.”
Nuruddin, also a farmer, said onion prices had collapsed. “We sell four kilos for 8 or 10 afghanis,” he said. “We work so hard on these crops, but in the end there is no profit — only loss.”
Many farmers in Herat rely on groundwater pumped with solar energy because of insufficient irrigation systems, a method they say has become increasingly expensive amid prolonged drought.
