FAO Seeks $38 Million for Afghanistan's Vulnerable Wheat Harvest

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking $38.3 million in emergency funding to support Afghanistan's upcoming wheat harvest.

Soaring fertilizer prices, linked to global market disruptions following the 2026 Middle East crisis, are putting the country's planting season at risk.

Afghan farmers rely heavily on fertilizers like diammonium phosphate and urea, but rising costs have made them unaffordable for many. FAO warns that if farmers can't access these essential inputs, they may be forced to reduce fertilizer use or plant smaller areas, leading to lower crop yields.

Richard Trenchard, FAO Representative in Afghanistan, said: 'Afghanistan's farmers have an opportunity to benefit from a stronger agricultural season after a harsh drought year, but rising fertilizer prices threaten to put that opportunity out of reach.'