Tag Archives: Afghanistan

Agriculture is the livelihood for 90% of the population; almost ⅔ of the working population is employed in agriculture. Agriculture and animal husbandry together provide only about 50% of the gross national product. Of the 8 million ha that are suitable for agriculture, 5.3 million must be irrigated; due to a lack of water, only 2.5 million ha are cultivated every year. 3 million ha is suitable for livestock, 2 million ha is covered with forest. In the south, the irrigation works will be expanded in the Helmend River basin (including the Kajakai dam, 90 m high, 19 billion m3 reservoir). Furthermore, irrigation is done here by means of karezes (subterranean passages). The main agricultural area is the plain of Afghan Turkestan. Grain accounts for 90 % of the area used, of which wheat (2166000 t in 1971) is the most important, followed by maize (730000 t), barley (310000 t) and rice (300000 t). The following are also grown: cotton (270001), sugar beet, sugar cane, oilseeds, vegetables and fruit, as well as hemp and poppy (opium). Cattle breeding. The livestock consists of sheep (23 million, of which 6.5 million Karakul sheep), goats (3 million), cattle (3.7 million), donkeys (1.3 million), horses, camels and poultry. Livestock farming is still partly (semi) nomadic. Forestry. There is no question of actual forestry, but there is no longer any exploitation of the existing forest. In 1971, 6.6 million m3 of hardwood and 1.6 million m3 of coniferous wood were felled. Check franciscogardening for Afghanistan Geography.