ECONOMY — June 17, 2026
Stink Bug Infestation Threatens Wheat and Barley Crops in Ghor Province
Farmers across several districts warn of major crop losses without additional aid, as the agriculture department's distribution of pesticides and traps continues on a limited scale.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Pajhwok — 2 min read

A widespread infestation of stink bugs is damaging wheat and barley crops across multiple districts of Ghor province. The pest has been reported in Al-Farooq, Charsadda, Allahyar, Murghab, Shahrak, Tolak and additional areas, with visible harm to standing crops.
Farmers say they cannot afford to purchase pesticides and have warned of major yield losses without prompt government assistance. They described the situation as urgent and called for expanded support to protect this season's harvest.
The Ghor Department of Agriculture has deployed technical teams to affected districts and distributed limited supplies of pesticides and pest-control traps along with usage guidance. Spokesman Zia-ul-Haq Joya confirmed the pest's spread and stated that current control measures remain insufficient to fully contain the outbreak.
Read the original reporting at Pajhwok →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct on-record attribution from named provincial agriculture spokesman Zia-ul-Haq Joya along with named farmers and specific district-level details on locations and response measures
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Pajhwok: "significant crop losses could occur if urgent measures are not taken", "our fields will be ruined", "farmers will suffer heavy losses" — these phrases use alarmist warnings and emotional appeals to urgency and poverty to frame the situation as an impending crisis requiring immediate action.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Pajhwok
Originating
Framed
Framed
Filed under
Economy — Stink bugs, Ghor province, Wheat crops, Agriculture, Pest infestation
Spotted an error or have more on this story? Tip the desk on Telegram → or WhatsApp →.
Reader supported
Keep Ehtebar running
Every published story uses paid tools to translate reporting, compare sources, extract claims, and produce a clearer read on Afghanistan. Reader support helps keep that work independent.
€5
helps cover daily verification runs
€15
supports a week of source comparison
€50
keeps independent analysis moving
More in Economy

Da Afghanistan Bank Bans Import of Regional Currencies
— Reliable

Conference in Kabul Focuses on Integrating Returning Migrants into Private Sector
— Reliable

Uzbekistan President Says Country Actively Working on Trans-Afghan Railway Project
— Reliable

Public Works Minister Visits Construction on Khaf-Herat Railway Fourth Section
— Reliable