Profiles: Western Afghanistan

Badghis, Farah and Herat provinces

The western region, together with the north and the north east, include the largest area of rainfed 'lalmi' wheat lands in Afghanistan. In the west, the area of rainfed wheat decreased by 35 percent from 2000. This has led to a 94 percent decline in overall production compared to 1998.

Irrigated farming is also practiced in this region, mainly in the Harirud River basin. As in the north of the country, the total irrigated area has decreased by 1 percent. However production from the irrigated area, mainly concentrated in the lower Harirud River basin around Herat city, has increased by 5 percent due to a good harvest assisted by the widespread use of improved varieties of seed.

    main crops and cropping systems