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Mushroom harvest begins in Kandahar
In Kandahar, farmers who established mushroom farms with the support of international organizations have now begun harvesting their crops.
The Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock of Kandahar stated that, as a result of its efforts and with financial support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and technical assistance from the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan, essential supplies worth $20,000 were distributed to 30 needy families in Khakrez district to establish mushroom farms. The harvesting process has now started.
Officials say the program aims to promote alternative crops to opium poppy, improve farmers’ livelihoods, introduce high-yield plants, and expand modern and standardized farming practices. According to them, each farmer can produce up to 10 kilograms of mushrooms in one month from just one kilogram of seeds at home—a process that is simple, low-cost, and highly profitable.
Mohammad Hanif Haqmal, spokesperson for the Kandahar Directorate of Agriculture, said: “For around 30 families, 23 types of tools necessary for mushroom farming were distributed. Seeds were also provided so they could establish farms and harvest crops. This is the first time mushroom is being cultivated in Kandahar. The Directorate of Agriculture will continue its efforts to promote this crop in other areas of the country so people can establish farms at home and increase their income. In Kandahar, the price of one kilogram of mushroom ranges between 350 and 400 Afghanis.”
Officials from the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan also confirmed that 23 types of tools and necessary materials for mushroom cultivation were previously distributed to the families, and the harvest is now underway. They consider the plant a suitable alternative to opium poppy and said they will continue supporting the farmers.
Abdulhadi Dawoodzi, representative of the Dutch Committee for Afghanistan in Kandahar, added: “We distributed 20 types of materials and tools necessary for planting and harvesting mushroom to 30 families, worth $20,000. This support serves as an alternative to opium cultivation.”
Farmers view mushroom as a viable substitute for opium poppy. They say the crop requires less effort and yields higher profits, making it a suitable option, especially during drought conditions.
Sibghatullah, a Kandahar farmer, said: “Mushroom can serve as a complete alternative to opium and hashish. Drought is intensifying every year, and this crop is a good substitute. We ask the organization to establish more farms and help market our products.”
Another farmer, Mohammad Naseem, added: “We can sell mushroom in local markets and to neighbors. Compared to opium and other narcotic crops, it is a better cultivation option.”
Officials from the Kandahar Directorate of Agriculture said that in recent months, they have increased efforts to identify and promote alternative crops and have implemented several programs to introduce high-yield plants suitable for Kandahar’s climatic conditions.
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Afghanistan says Pakistani military post destroyed near Spin Boldak
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense says a Pakistani military post near Spin Boldak was targeted and destroyed after Pakistani forces opened fire toward Afghanistan.
Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarazmi said in a post on X that Afghan forces suffered no casualties or damage in the clash.
Khwarazmi also rejected claims made by the Pakistani side about the incident, describing them as “propaganda.”
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Mujahid: Pakistan attacking Afghanistan to evade Mecca Pact responsibilities
He warned that the Islamic Emirate would give an “appropriate response” to what he called the Pakistani military regime’s “bullying.”
Islamic Emirate spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has accused Pakistan of carrying out attacks on Afghanistan to divert attention from its domestic problems and to evade responsibilities under the “Mecca Pact.”
Speaking at a religious seminary in Kandahar, Mujahid said Pakistan was facing political and economic challenges at home and was using attacks on Afghanistan to shift public attention away from protests and its internal problems.
“Pakistan, by violating the territory of its neighboring Islamic country, wants to divert attention from its failures,” he said.
Mujahid also criticized Pakistan’s political situation, claiming that political space had been restricted and that freedoms guaranteed under the country’s laws were not being allowed.
He said Pakistan’s economic problems had also increased significantly and accused the country of seeking to distract the public from those problems by engaging in conflict with Afghanistan.
Mujahid further accused Pakistan’s military leadership of putting the Pakistani people at risk through what he described as its “false position.”
He warned that the Islamic Emirate would give an “appropriate response” to what he called the Pakistani military regime’s “bullying.”
His remarks followed Pakistani airstrikes on Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces on Thursday, which Afghan authorities said killed four civilians.
The strikes came three days after attacks on Kunar and Paktika provinces, in which Afghan authorities said three civilians were killed.
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Kabul rejects U.S. claim that meth seized in Pakistan was of Afghan origin
Balkhi said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has imposed an absolute ban on the production, trafficking and use of all types of narcotics in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi has rejected a U.S. claim that 463 kilograms of synthetic drugs seized in Pakistan were of Afghan origin, calling the attribution “unfounded and politically motivated.”
Balkhi said the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad should investigate the origin of the seized drugs in Pakistan rather than attributing them to Afghanistan.
“The attribution by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad of the synthetic drugs bound for Sri Lanka and intercepted in Pakistan through joint U.S.-Pakistani efforts as ‘Afghan-origin’ is an unfounded and politically motivated allegation,” Balkhi said.
He said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has imposed an absolute ban on the production, trafficking and use of all types of narcotics in Afghanistan.
Balkhi also claimed that following the ban in Afghanistan, the cultivation, production and trafficking of narcotics have increased “on the other side of the Durand Line.”
He further argued that Afghanistan does not have the capacity to produce synthetic drugs and said crossing points along the Durand Line have been completely closed to all movement for nearly a year.
His remarks came after the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said U.S. and Pakistani anti-narcotics authorities had seized 463 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine worth an estimated $21 million and bound for Sri Lanka.
The embassy said the operation led to multiple arrests and highlighted ongoing U.S. cooperation and training with Pakistani authorities to disrupt international drug-trafficking networks.
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