The impact of climate change on the winter feeding status of livestock in Afghanistan.

Abstract

Livestock farming is considered one of the main sources of livelihood for the people of Afghanistan province. However, successive droughts, insecurity and armed conflicts, and widespread poverty have posed serious challenges to the proper winter feeding of livestock. The main objective of this research is to investigate the status of winter livestock feeding and its associated challenges, and to provide solutions for improving the current situation. The statistical population of this study includes 277 local livestock owners, employees of the Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock, university professors, and environmental personnel, who were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using Graph Pad Prism Version 7 (Trial) statistical software. The results show that the winter feeding situation for livestock in Afghanistan is very alarming. The main reasons for this include successive droughts leading to a severe reduction in fodder production for livestock, insecurity and armed conflicts, widespread poverty and lack of financial resources to procure fodder and care for livestock in winter, and a lack of support programs to meet the needs of herders in this region. These conditions have led to emaciation, disease, and even death of livestock in some areas of Afghanistan. To save their remaining livestock, herders are sometimes forced to sell their animals at very low prices, which exacerbates the cycle of poverty. It is necessary to take action through humanitarian aid, support programs, efforts to provide fodder, treat livestock, and empower herders in this region.