Drought in Afghanistan Killing Off Cattle, Sheep
A four-year drought in Afghanistan has wiped out more than 80% of the cattle, sheep and goats in the north of the country, contributing significantly to the impoverishment of rural populations there, the United Nations said Sunday.
A survey of 884 villages conducted by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization in March and April found that the number of cattle in the north had been reduced 84% from 1997-1998. Spokesman Etienne Careme said the survey indicated that 80% of sheep and goats had died in that period.
FAO officials have warned that the drought poses a serious threat to the country’s meat supply. Merchants have been importing poultry, sheep and cattle from Iran and Pakistan, but those animals are not quarantined.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
