FAO: Agriculture is the Backbone of Afghanistan’s Crisis-Stricken Economy
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has stated that agriculture forms the backbone of Afghanistan’s economy, with nearly 80 percent of the population’s income and livelihood dependent on this sector. The organization emphasized that without urgent strengthening of agriculture and targeted investment in agricultural businesses, the crises of food insecurity and unemployment will worsen.
On Wednesday, 30th of Sawr, FAO reported that investing in agricultural value chains, markets, and the private sector is vital to improving food security, creating job opportunities, and fostering economic growth. According to FAO, a reduction in humanitarian aid has placed additional pressure on vulnerable families, while food insecurity and malnutrition continue to be widespread.
FAO’s representative in Afghanistan noted that farmers in many parts of the country still face limited access to markets. He added that the organization’s goal is to support businesses that can facilitate local producers’ access to markets and strengthen local economies.
This report comes as Afghanistan grapples with deep poverty and hunger. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that over 13.8 million people in the country face severe food insecurity.
Experts believe that alongside diminishing foreign aid, a lack of transparent economic planning by the Taliban administration and extensive restrictions in various sectors have contributed to labor market stagnation and the weakening of the agriculture sector. Under these circumstances, strengthening agricultural infrastructure and providing practical support to farmers could be one of the few ways to contain the country’s economic and food crises.
