# Drought in Afghanistan: Olive Groves Provide Lifeline

> Afghan farmers turn to drought-resistant olive groves as climate crisis deepens.
- Title: Drought in Afghanistan: Olive Groves Provide Lifeline
- Summary: Afghan farmers turn to drought-resistant olive groves as climate crisis deepens.
- Keywords: afghanistan, nangarhar province, olive groves, drought, water scarcity, climate change, agriculture, olive oil, saidan arabi village, abduullah orzala, united nations, food and agriculture organization
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/life/2026/11/13/as-drought-bites-afghanistan-olive-groves-offer-farmers-a-rare-lifeline/242973
- Published: 2026-11-13T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: afghanistan, nangarhar province, olive groves, drought, water scarcity, climate change, agriculture, olive oil, saidan arabi village, abduullah orzala, united nations, food and agriculture organization
## Drought hits Afghanistan
Drought and water scarcity affect more than half of Afghanistan's population, pushing farmers to seek alternatives to traditional crops.
## Abdullah Orzala's olive grove
Abdullah Orzala planted olive trees 15 years ago on his family's land in Saidan Arabi village, Nangarhar province, as a drought-resistant alternative.
## Olive benefits for farmers
Olive trees require less water than crops like wheat, rice or onions, improving soil health and reducing erosion.
## Local olive processing
Villagers hand-pick olives and cold-press them at an experimental mill, selling oil for up to US$17 per kilogram in Kabul.
## Job creation
Orzala has planted thousands of olive trees, creating 16 permanent jobs across two villages in Nangarhar province.
## Olive industry growth
The state-owned mill produces 135,000 litres of olive oil annually, with plans to expand output to 143,000-165,000 litres this year.
## Market challenges
Afghanistan's banking isolation and diplomatic exclusion prevent access to international olive oil markets despite growing production.
## Local adoption
Farmers initially doubted olives but now see them as better than poppies for income due to water resistance.

> people look at this tree with great hope
## Future outlook
The olive industry aims to expand sales across Afghanistan and beyond while overcoming international market barriers.
## Key takeaway

Afghan farmers in Nangarhar province are cultivating drought-resistant olive trees to combat water shortages, creating jobs and sustainable income despite international market barriers.