Decades of war and four years of drought have left the agricultural infrastructure in a state of collapse. To achieve food security, Afghan farmers need adequate, safe and secure water supplies as well as ready access to credit, fertilizer, and quality seed. The bottom has dropped out of wheat prices, causing farmers to lose money by growing wheat. Poppy production is still seen by many Afghan farmers as the only means of providing their families with food and shelter.

An examination of potential crop alternatives reveals that high-value

horticultural crops may possess the best income-raising potential for Afghan farmers. But there are no quick or easy solutions in sight.

Prior to the prolonged war and drought, Afghan households were able to produce about 86 percent of their food; now they expect to cover about 59 percent of their total food requirement. Following the departure of the Taliban, poppy production in Afghanistan has rebounded to levels that re-establish the country as a leading producer of opium for the illegal drug trade.

A recent report released by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime indicates that opium production in Afghanistan is estimated at 3,400 metric tons. Poppies are estimated to earn approximately eight times more income per hectare than wheat with less water and fewer inputs.

The cultivation of opium poppies is more concentrated in the southwest, particularly in Helmand Province, although it is also fairly common in Nangahar and Badakhshan. Farmers in other provinces also grow poppies to some extent. Poppy has been a source of credit to offset the losses caused by drought and to get farming operations back on their feet. The high value of the crop allows farmers, particularly returning refugees, to raise capital for buying livestock and other inputs for farming.

Horticultural crops like pistachios, citrus fruit, figs, dates and almonds once accounted for 30- to 50-percent of Afghanistan's export earnings. Because the typical Afghan farmer owns less than
2 hectares of land, horticulture fits the need for high value crops that can be grown on small landholdings.

Today, horticultural exports are negligible. As the agricultural sector recovers, it will still have to contend with increased global competition. The high expectations for global products require greater focus on quality, consistency, packaging and marketing.

Dr. Patrick Brown of the University of California, Davis, presented many of these findings as part of a horticultural needs assessment for the Future Harvest Consortium. Fruit and nuts hold considerable potential for improving the nutrition and incomes of farm households, and could provide an alternative to poppy cultivation in the future. For example, Afghanistan is the country of origin for over 60 varieties of almonds. There may be considerable value in protecting and developing these unique almond varieties for international markets.

Source: FAO G:DP/AFG/96/004, Field Document 3(2000).

However, many of the Afghan horticultural operations no longer exist. Entire orchards have died due to lack of water and the trees have been burned for fuel. Nurseries need to develop saplings for native varieties, which will take years. Training on advanced horticultural practices and techniques is necessary. All of this depends on better water management. Deeper wells will have to be dug and irrigation systems built. Even after new trees become established, considerable investment is needed for storage facilities, transportation and marketing.

While it is doubtful any crop can compete with opium poppies for profit potential, rebuilding the agricultural infrastructure of Afghanistan will provide economic alternatives for farmers. Once they know that they can support their families, the transition to other crops is at least possible.

For more information:
Dr Patrick Brown (phbrown@pacbell.net)