Animal husbandry in Afghanistan

Animal husbandry in Afghanistan is a traditional way of life, which exists in all 34 provinces of the country, and continues to play an important role in the nation's economy.^[1][2] The country's livestock population mainly includes cattle, sheep, goats, camels, horses and donkeys.^[3][4] The camels, horses and donkeys are used for work purposes only while the remaining animals are used for consumption and to make dairy and other products.^[5][6][7] Weddings, zakats and the annual Eid al-Adha boost the sale of these animals. As a totally Islamic country, pig farming and consumption of pork are simply nonexistent. The wool of the slaughtered sheep is used to make Afghan rugs, parts of Afghan clothing, and other products.^[8][9][10]

After the completion of the major Qosh Tepa Canal and new dams, animal husbandry is likely to increase dramatically. Small number of people raise other animals in Afghanistan, such as camels, gazelles, horses, ostriches, turkeys, peacocks, ducks, rabbits, and pigeons.^{[11][12][13][14]}

Poultry farming is widespread in the warmer parts of the country.^[15] In 2023 there were between 7,000 and 10,000 poultry farms in the country.^[16][17] By the end of 2024, their total number reached around 15,000.^[18][19] Some of the largest and modern ones are in the provinces of Balkh, Helmand, Kandahar, Khost and Nangarhar.^[20][21] Some egg-laying chickens are also imported from Iran.^[22]

• Economy of Afghanistan
• Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock

• "Leather industrialists demand raw hides processing factories". Pajhwok Afghan News. 21 January 2023.
• "Animals skin made products face market stagnation". Pajhwok Afghan News. 6 January 2023.
• "Leather Industry 'Facing A Crisis'". TOLOnews. 31 May 2018.
• "Despite the odds, Afghanistan's leather industry thrives". Dawn News. September 10, 2014.