Kabul, Oct 27 (FN Bureau) Faced with drought, economic collapse and near political isolation, Afghans are now struggling to afford basic goods in the face of an unprecedented rise in prices. People are concerned about the high rise in the prices of primary items in the market, and say they are highly concerned about providing food for their families. Residents have told Tolo News that the economic downturn and the high prices are worrying them, more so with winter approaching. “Domestic production is not enough, the prices are high because the goods are imported,” said Abdul Maroof, a shopkeeper. A number of farmers said the recent drought has caused a serious decrease in yield compared to past years. They say this year’s drought is more severe than previous years, and the wells which were earlier used to irrigate the farmlands have now dried up.
“Five years ago, the situation was good because water flowed from the mountains, now the wells and springs are dried up,” said Nasratullah, a farmer. The drought and various political, economic problems in the country are cited as the reason for the unprecedented rise in the price of primary goods, mainly food, in the country that is ruled by the Taliban. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock has said that Afghanistan is an importing country, and most of its goods are imported from neighbouring countries. “Wheat and rice are imported from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Pakistan. We need these goods because Afghanistan is not a self-sufficient country,” said acting Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Minister Abdulrahman Rashid. Although Afghanistan is an agricultural country, each year it imports food to meet the demand in the markets.