Speaking on the importance of the agriculture sector within the framework of the national economy, the Central Statistics Organization (CSO) on Monday said that this year’s heavy snowfalls would boost agriculture and in turn contribute positively to the national economy.

Last year the agriculture sector’s contribution to the economic development of the country was tangible, said the CSO.

According to CSO officials, a large part of Afghanistan’s economic development is dependent on the agricultural sector’s growth.

“If we study the economic growth ratio over the past ten years, rain and snowfall have had a major impact (on the agricultural progress),” said Hasibullah Mohad the CEO’s deputy.

Meanwhile, Afghan farmers are optimistic about this year’s harvests as they say the good rain and snowfall has brought an end to water shortages in large parts of the country.

 “This year’s snowfalls bring hope and it will have a good impact on agriculture especially for pastures, forests and underground water (levels),” said Omar Jan Mangal, an Afghan farmer.

 “The agriculture sector will improve and also earth worms will be eliminated,” said Sayed Alam, another former.

Another farmer, Mahmoud, said: “Snowfalls will benefit both the farmers and land owners.”

 “Snow is the gift of Allah and it eliminates bacteria in the earth and on the land,” said Sharif, another farmer.

 “Snowfalls are a good sign for people and government - we will have good harvests next year,” said Mohammad Salim, head of Baghlan agriculture department.

Afghanistan is an agricultural country. Almost 80 percent of the people depend on the sector for their livelihood.

Farmers in the southern province of Kandahar have meanwhile welcomed this year’s snowfall and rain and said it will help them increase crops.

According to Kandahar agriculture and irrigation department, the province – which was on the verge of a drought - has recorded 95mm of rain in the past few days.

Officials said some part of the province even experienced snow. They said however that the province does need a total of 150mm of rain in order to sufficiently meet the needs of farmers for the next year.