UNAMA, July 17, 2006

Afghanistan faces a shortfall of 0.7 million tonnes of wheat and the rain-fed wheat harvest is now expected to be half that of original estimates.

Serge Verniau, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) representative in Afghanistan, told a press conference in Kabul that assessments made earlier this year had been revised downwards from a figure of 4.4 million tonnes given in May, to today’s figure of 3.7 million tonnes.

“Drought is a regular phenomenon in Afghanistan and it [Afghanistan] has been affected for centuries, but, in comparison to last year, the situation is quite serious,” said Verniau.

Verniau said recent media reports that farmers were not harvesting crops were not correct. “The farmers are harvesting wheat and are not waiting for Government assistance or assistance from the international community.”

“However, the poorest farmers will not have enough wheat this year and they will need to use some of it as seed for the next crop cycle and not just for this year’s food.”

Verniau said he was working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Energy and Water and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) as “food aid is also crucial so that the people have enough food for next year and avoid the need for further food assistance.”

Verniau referred to the need for a longer-term solution involving the use of varieties of wheat that are resistant to drought but can still provide a good yield. “We have tested different varieties in Herat this year and initial results have been positive so far.”

Charles Vincent, the WFP representative told the press conference that he estimates that 2.5 million people could be at risk as a direct result of the drought in the country. “They are not at risk this month or next, but they will run out of grain faster than they did last year and we do not want farmers to be eating the seed for next year’s crop,” Vincent said.

Vincent also pointed to a lack of resources at WFP and appealed to donors to support the most needy communities in Afghanistan. Vincent emphasised that there are always “difficult decisions and choices to make when you have limited resources and you have to prioritise those families in greatest need.”

The hardest drought affected areas in Afghanistan are in the north and north-west of the country, particularly in Ghor and Badghis provinces.

The economy of Afghanistan has traditionally been dominated by agriculture which now accounts for 52 percent of the gross domestic product and employs around 66 percent of the workforce.