Distribution of winter aid, agri inputs begins

JALALABAD/AIBAK (PAN inputs to farmers started in Nuristan, Nangrahar and Samangan provinces on Monday, officials said.

Muhammad Nabi Ahmadi, the deputy governor for Nuristan, told Pajhwok Afghan News the assistance was being distributed to about 880 destitute families, with each household receiving 25 kilograms of rice.

The process would continue until Tuesday across the eastern province, where heavy snowfall led to severe food shortages and road blockades.

In Nangarhar, aid was distributed to 660 families in Khogyani, Shirzad, Haska Meena and Surkhrod districts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The aid included food items, blankets and warm clothing.

Elsewhere in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture started providing relief goods and agriculture inputs to 1,000 deserving families and farmers in northern Samangan province.

Syed Rafiullah Roshanzada, an agriculture ministry official, said 1375 tonnes of food, wheat seed and fertiliser would be given to poor families and growers in the province.

The assistance, including 1000 tonnes of wheat, 250 tonnes of fertilisers and 175 tonnes of rice, is being distributed in Aibak, the provincial capital, and districts.

Noor Muhammad, the irrigation, agriculture and livestock director, said 92,000 hectares of land in the province was rain-fed and about 11,000 hectares irrigated.

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