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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Afghan Pomegranates - Pellegrini
HEADLINE: Years of War, Drought and a Lack of Market Access Have Crushed Farming Industry in Southern Afghanistan
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 12/22/2022 at 3:30pm
BYLINE: Gaja Pellegrini-Bettoli
CONTRIBUTOR: Roshan Noorzai
DATELINE: Kandahar, Afghanistan
VIDEOGRAPHER: Filippo Rossi
PRODUCER: Gaja Pellegrini-Bettoli
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original | VOA Afghan Service
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((SEND SCRIPT BACK TO BEZHAN ONLY))
((INTRO))
[[Farmers in Kandahar's Arghandab district say years of war, drought, and a lack of market access have wreaked havoc on their farms and livelihoods. Gaja Pellegrini-Bettoli reports from Kandahar.]]
((NARRATOR))
The district of Arghandab is known for its fruits, particularly pomegranates. Known as “Anaar,” the pomegranates are primarily exported to Pakistan and India.
But it’s been difficult to earn a living due to drought, ongoing fighting, border closures and late shipments.
Abdul Sattar and his family have owned this farm for generations.
((Abdul Sattar, Farmer)) ((Male in Pashto))
“This was the frontline of the war between the [former] government and the Taliban. Because of this, we were unable to come here and look after our orchard. With the coming of the Taliban our problems have increased because we can no longer export our produce as the borders with neighboring countries are mostly closed.”
((NARRATOR))
Sattar says he hasn’t been able to cover his expenses for a third straight year, forcing him to make some difficult decisions.
((Abdul Sattar, Farmer))
“This orchard used to be 7,400 acres. Now there are only 2,470 acres left. I was forced to sell the land and the wood from the trees to survive. We grow pomegranates, plums, and grapes which we used to export to India and Pakistan. With the borders closed we are forced to sell in Logar which is far and expensive.”
((NARRATOR))
And Sattar says if farmers here do find buyers, they are forced to sell at prices below market price.
((Abdul Sattar, Farmer))
“Before I used to sell 1 kilogram of pomegranates for 150 Afghani [$ 1.62], now for 7 kilogram I make only 100 Afghani [$ 1.08]. They are destroying our heritage. We do everything with our own hands, we do not use machines. We hope things will get better one day.”
((NARRATOR))
Farmers in Afghanistan are facing "disastrous" conditions, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and say they have lost "almost all of their harvests this year."
((Gaja Pellegrini-Bettoli, for VOA News, Kandahar))
NewsML Media TopicsReligion and Belief, Lifestyle and Leisure
Topic TagsBethlehem
Christmas
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 22, 2021 18:24 EST
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media
