KABUL — Taliban authorities in the eastern province of Logar have once again destroyed fields of tomato crops cultivated by local farmers, according to multiple sources who shared video evidence with Amu.
The farmers said the provincial Department of Agriculture, under Taliban control, had previously warned them against planting tomatoes this season, claiming that the crop lacks sufficient market demand and would not justify the cost of water and investment. Despite the warning, many farmers proceeded with planting.
Now, those crops have reportedly been uprooted or otherwise destroyed by local Taliban officials.
“We invested hundreds of thousands of Afghanis to grow this crop,” said one farmer, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal. “Now the entire harvest has been lost, and we are demanding compensation.”
This is not the first time the Taliban’s agriculture department in Logar has targeted tomato cultivation. Sources said that earlier this season, Taliban also dismantled several greenhouses built to nurture tomato seedlings, citing similar economic justifications.
The incident has sparked frustration among farmers, who say they have few alternative income sources and no support mechanisms for crop losses.
Taliban officials have not commented publicly on the matter. Still, in rural parts of Afghanistan, agriculture remains the primary source of income for most families.
