As the winter is going to approach, the difficulties that Afghan people will face are going to increase. The problems are not only related to providing safeguard against 'killing cold weather' but also having accessibility to other requirements of life. Among these requirements the most basic one is food to eat. The remote areas in Afghanistan would face the consequences of the shortage to a large extent.
According to a current statement to Pajhwok Afghan News by Mehdi Mowahidi, director of Agriculure, Irrigation and Livestock Department, People in the central Daikundi province is likely to face severe food crisis this winter as food production had dipped in recent months due to erratic weather conditions. He said that wheat production declined by 30,000 tons this year compared to last year's 50,000 tons output, while the province needs 70,000 tons of wheat annually.
"We need an additional 40,000 tons of wheat but we have only 2, 000 tons in our stores, "he added.
The agricultural sector in Afghanistan has not been able to fulfill the requirements of the people as it has not been given proper attention by the concerned authorities. Mostly, this sector is highly dependent on the individual farmers and landowners. Most of them grow as much as they require themselves. Further, the growth of narcotics in the country leaves little room for the lands to be used for the cultivation of other necessary items that can fulfill the food requirement of the people. The government does not have any comprehensive strategy regarding the development of the agricultural sector on the basis of modern techniques.
Wheat has been one of the most dominant crops of Afghanistan that has been serving as the basic food item, but its production has been effected due to chilling weather and draughts. Other items, mostly vegetables like beans and maize, have also faced reduction, which has influenced the prices and the prices have experienced unexpected increase. There are fears that the people living in most vulnerable areas of the country are going to suffer to a great extent, unless proper measures are taken.
People have fears about the ongoing situation and about its consequences and they are not totally ready to face any calamity. "I have no land to cultivate and I am working on a daily basis in the city and earn only 200 afs per day. I buy food in the bazaar, but this year prices are very high in the city… In the past, seven kilograms of wheat cost only 100 afs but this year it shot up to 160 afs." said Syed Alam, a resident of Nili city of Daikundi.
With a current situation at hand, a large number of people have to look at the other countries for help in order to have food to eat. The international organizations in this regard have been fulfilling the food requirements of the country to a large extent, thus making the burden of the government much lighter. But this sort of help can never be permanent and it has already been facing difficulties as the donor countries that have been sponsoring such programs have decreased their contributions to a certain extent. Sohrab Ali Aitimadi, head of provincial council, said that the United Nations World Food Program has no work projects this year and on the other hand people face food shortage due to poor production, said.
"If the government or NGOs do not address the situation with proper assistances, Daikundi would witness many deaths this winter," he warned.
It has also to be kept in mind that the roads that lead to Daikundi will soon be blocked because of snowfall. Therefore, the food items that are required for the people should reach to the province as soon as possible; otherwise, the calamity may prove to be fatal for the people who do not have the capacity to buy different food items.
The food shortage itself is a sure problem, but there are many other problems that are directly linked with the hunger that results from such shortages. Many social evils will find their way in the society and will further deteriorate the country's socio-political scenario. More people would be involved in crimes in order to feed themselves and their families. Two major problems in the country have been greatly strengthened by the continuous hunger and poverty. The first one that has been threatening the whole world is the growing terrorism in the region. The people suffering from hunger and poverty are very much likely to become part of terrorist organizations that are ready to provide them their living.
Who does not know that the suicide bombers are easily available for some hundred dollars throughout the country? The second problem that has made the country much notorious like terrorism is the production and trafficking of narcotics. Afghanistan is considered one of the leading countries in this regard. And now the phenomenon has become a part of organized crime in the country, with the involvement of national and international mafia. The poor and hungry people of the country are ready to become a part of this menace instead of suffering because of intense deprivation. They either become a part of its production or trafficking as they are paid handsomely in this regard. Further, the demand of the narcotics also makes many people think of using their lands for poppy cultivation rather than deciding to grow the crops that can yield food for the people.
According the reports of WFP, about 300,000 tons of wheat would be needed by the end of the year. And definitely the WFP would have to show some miracle in order to make that deficiency fulfilled. But, the main point of consideration is, "How long can we rely on international organizations and community to feed us and amend us?"We can be self-reliant in so many areas; all we need is to throw away the begging bowl and use our own resources appropriately and, no doubt, honestly.
Had we been doing that for the last few years, we would now be standing on our own. But unfortunately, the self-centered people among us who have just been filling their own pockets have made our people suffer to a great extent. They do not feel even for those people who do not have a single meal to eat throughout a week. Their children die of hunger and unknown diseases and their conscience saunter in the dark alleys of guilt, frustration and revenge.