Afghan women turn winter farms into lifelines for their families
Home greenhouses and small-scale dairy work provide steady income despite harsh conditions, though costs and limited support remain hurdles
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — In Afghanistan’s Parwan province, winter does not bring farm work to a halt. For many rural women, the cold months are a crucial time to earn income through home greenhouses, livestock care and small-scale dairy production that help sustain their families.
Women grow vegetables in courtyard greenhouses, milk cows and goats, and produce yogurt, cheese, cream and qorot, a traditional dried dairy product. The earnings are modest but provide a steady source of support during the harsh winter season.
Fatima, a mother supporting a family of eight, said she grows tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, coriander and mint in her home garden, selling part of the harvest in local markets while using the rest for household consumption.
Others rely on simple greenhouses to extend the growing season. Parnian, who operates a small greenhouse at her home, said it allows her to produce vegetables year-round, even though winter yields are lower than in summer.
She said shortages of quality seeds and plastic sheeting, along with high heating costs, remain major obstacles, adding that women need support to build standard greenhouses, receive technical training and access affordable heating equipment.
Livestock and dairy production also play a key role. Women such as Harir and Munisa said they produce yogurt, cheese, cream and qorot from the milk of cows and goats, selling the products locally to meet household needs.
In recent years, support programs in Parwan have provided some women with greenhouse equipment and basic agricultural training, helping them move toward more efficient practices. Still, limited resources, weak market access, high costs and social constraints continue to restrict wider economic gains.
Agricultural development expert Farhad Hamdard said targeted policies could significantly strengthen women’s contributions to family economies. He called for dairy collection and processing centers, expanded technical training, improved transportation, access to small loans and modern storage and processing methods.
Officials from the Parwan Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock said most active women are concentrated in the districts of Siyahgerd and Bagram and participate in existing support programs.
Neyaz Mohammad Taayeb, head of agricultural affairs, said about 2,334 families in the two districts are involved in dairy production and home gardening, with an equal number of women eligible to receive home garden tools through a department-supported institute. He said no new programs are currently planned.
Despite the challenges, investment in women’s agriculture and livestock activities remains critical for boosting household incomes, improving food security and supporting rural development in Parwan.
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