Farmers in the Adraskan district of Herat province report lower melon and watermelon harvests this year compared with 2024, citing water shortages, lack of fertilizer, and the spread of brick kilns near farmland.
Herat, in western Afghanistan, is a major production region for melons and watermelons. Growers in Adraskan say their fields have been affected by drought, agricultural pests, and frequent dust storms. "This year there were many storms and strong winds carrying dust onto our fields. We had no good harvest," said farmer Abdul Hameed. "Last year the yields were good, but this year was very bad."
Farmers also point to the lack of irrigation water and fertilizer as causes of lower yields. "The dust and wind destroyed most of our crops and caused us a huge loss," said farmer Sulaiman. Others argue that nearby brick kilns have made conditions worse. "Our agriculture was good before the brick kilns started, but now dust covers the plants and prevents them from breathing," said Asadullah. "The kilns have wiped out our farming."
Adraskan was once considered one of Herat's most fertile districts for both farming and livestock. Farmers note that declining rainfall and climate change have further reduced the district's productivity as a traditional agricultural area.
Source: amu
