Abundant Afghan Harvest Wilts Amid Violence and Extortion
Each checkpoint extorts two to three melons, he said, adding, "The extortion is not only fruit — they ask for money, too." Abdul Wahab, who grows melons in restive Baghlan Province to sell in Kabul, said he had spent 86,000 afghanis, or about $1,300, on farm expenses like seeds, fertilizer
and labor, only to sell the melon crop for a total of $220.
Mohammed Hafiz said that I bought two melons — 30 afghanis each,
Maidan had that Tak, tak, tak — the shooting starts, and we have to take cover,
Bashir said that When we woke up in the morning, the farmer had disappeared — and the truck driver was left with the fruit,
"And when you say, ‘Why, for God’s sake, be a little fair,’ they say, ‘Don’t move your lips, I will smash your mouth.’" He sighed, "It’s a football match,
and we are kicked back and forth." In recent years, the violence in Afghanistan has dipped and peaked along with the spring and fall harvests — the prosperity of one and the desperation of the other each dangerous in its own way.
Siamuden Pasarly said that If you transport melons from Kunduz to Kabul, the shipment gets stopped and extorted up to 41 times,
Mohammed Ayar said that I start the fire an hour before the sunrise, and the tea is boiling by the time the sun comes out,