Olive cultivation is emerging as a promising alternative for farmers in eastern Afghanistan, offering a potential source of income while helping rural communities cope with drought and growing water shortages.

According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), farmers in Nangarhar Province are increasingly turning to olive trees because of their ability to survive with relatively little water compared with traditional crops such as wheat, rice and onions.

One example is Abdullah Orzala, who established an olive orchard 15 years ago in Saidan Arabi village. His initiative has since expanded, with thousands of additional olive trees planted in other parts of Nangarhar.

Orzala says adapting agriculture to climate change and protecting limited water resources were among the main reasons behind his decision to invest in olive farming.

Agricultural specialists say olive trees can also improve soil quality and reduce erosion, making them suitable for areas facing environmental challenges.

The olive harvest has created new economic opportunities for local communities. Around 500 villagers in Saidan Arabi participate in harvesting olives, which are processed into oil using a cold-pressing method.

According to production supervisor Sadiqullah Afghan, freshly harvested olives are processed immediately to maintain the quality of the oil. The product is sold in organic shops in Kabul for up to $17 per kilogram.

Orzala’s agricultural activities have also created 16 permanent jobs across two villages in Nangarhar.

Afghanistan’s Olive industry expanding

Afghanistan’s olive industry dates back to the 1960s, particularly in eastern Nangarhar. However, decades of conflict destroyed nearly half of the country’s olive-growing areas.

The sector has gradually recovered in recent years. New equipment was provided to the state-owned olive processing mill in 2019, and production has increased.

According to Akhtar Muhammad Hashimi, director of the state-owned company, the facility produced approximately 135,000 litres of olive oil last year. Production is expected to reach between 143,000 and 165,000 litres this year.

The company currently sells its entire production within Afghanistan but hopes to enter international markets in the future.

Meanwhile, olive cultivation is expanding beyond Nangarhar. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has supported the planting of 381 hectares of olive trees, highlighting their potential to generate sustainable income for rural families.

 Despite these developments, limited access to international banking and markets remains a major obstacle to expanding Afghanistan’s olive exports.

For many farmers in eastern Afghanistan, however, olive trees represent more than an agricultural investment. They offer a potential source of income, employment and resilience against worsening drought conditions.

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in livestock farming, animal breeding and agricultural development, including plans to provide specialized training for Afghan experts.

According to Uzbekistan’s state news agency, UzA, an Afghan delegation led by Sadr Azam Usmani, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, visited Uzbekistan’s Livestock and Pasture Development Agency to explore opportunities for strengthening cooperation in the sector.

During the meeting, officials from both sides discussed Uzbekistan’s experience in livestock farming, modern breeding technologies, cattle trade and professional training for agricultural specialists.

The Uzbek side also proposed issuing transit permits for breeding cattle imported from Iran through Afghanistan, creating a potential new opportunity for regional livestock trade.

The two sides agreed to organize advanced training courses and practical workshops, allowing Afghan specialists to receive free training in cattle breeding and artificial insemination.

Other issues discussed included supplying Afghanistan with improved breeding cattle and high-genetic-potential seeds, expanding livestock-related import and export activities, and exchanging technical expertise.

The discussions aim to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two neighbouring countries and support the development of Afghanistan’s livestock sector through technology transfer, professional training and joint initiatives.

A dialogue on Islamic microfinance was held in Kabul on Wednesday, bringing together representatives of financial institutions, government authorities, international partners and Afghanistan’s microfinance sector to discuss ways of expanding inclusive financial services in the country.

The event was organized by The Liaison Office in coordination with the Afghanistan Microfinance Association (AMA), Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) and the Indonesian Embassy in Kabul.

Participants discussed opportunities and challenges facing the development of Islamic microfinance services, with a focus on expanding access to financial products that comply with Islamic Sharia principles.

Representatives of AMA, Da Afghanistan Bank and the Indonesian Ambassador to Afghanistan delivered keynote remarks, highlighting the current situation of the microfinance sector, international experiences and opportunities for developing diverse Islamic financial products.

Two panel discussions focused on major challenges facing microfinance institutions, including structural barriers to growth, limited access to capital, funding and liquidity constraints, difficulties in securing guarantees, and the long-term sustainability of Islamic microfinance services.

Participants also explored practical solutions and future steps to strengthen the sector, emphasizing the importance of cooperation, knowledge-sharing and better coordination among relevant institutions.

The dialogue concluded with calls for stronger collaboration among financial institutions and development partners to improve access to inclusive, sustainable and Sharia-compliant financial services across Afghanistan.