ESRJ

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Poultry Production: Current Evidence, Challenges, and Implications for Afghanistan

Abdul Khaliq Sahes — 2026-10-16

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being investigated as a tool for improving poultry production, health monitoring, environmental management, and farm automation. This narrative review synthesizes scientific evidence on AI applications in poultry production and evaluates their potential applicability, infrastructure requirements, limitations, and future opportunities in Afghanistan. Literature was searched using Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, IranMedex, and Magiran using terms related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, poultry production, disease detection, computer vision, Internet of Things, robotics, animal welfare, and Afghanistan. The initial search identified 66 potentially relevant records, and 30 publications were included in the narrative synthesis after screening and eligibility assessment. Current evidence indicates that AI can support early disease and abnormal-behavior detection, environmental monitoring, precision management of feed and production, and robotic farm operations. However, successful implementation depends on data quality, reliable electricity and connectivity, suitable sensors and computing infrastructure, technical expertise, and economic feasibility. Importantly, the available literature does not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that AI is already widely adopted in Afghanistan’s commercial poultry sector. Therefore, AI adoption in Afghanistan should be approached through locally validated, gradual, and economically appropriate applications, beginning with digital record keeping, environmental sensing, computer-vision monitoring, and decision-support systems. Future studies should evaluate these technologies under real Afghan poultry-farming conditions.

The Role of Agroforestry in Climate Change Mitigation and Food Security in Afghani-stan: A Narrative Review

Javidullah Iqbal — 2026-10-16

Climate change poses a serious threat to food security in Afghanistan through drought, rainfall variability, water scarcity, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity. The review aimed is to assess the potential of agroforestry for enhancing climate resilience, food security, and rural livelihoods in Afghanistan. Agroforestry, which integrates trees with agricultural crops and/or livestock, is a climate-smart and multifunctional approach for addressing these challenges. By enhancing carbon sequestration and storage, soil and water conservation, biodiversity, food production diversity, and the resilience of rural livelihoods, agroforestry can help reduce the adverse impacts of climate change. This narrative review examined scientific, governmental, and institutional sources published between 2010 and 2025, including literature retrieved from Google Scholar, JSTOR, and PubMed. Of the 420 publications initially identified, 103 relevant studies were analyzed in relation to agroforestry, climate change, food security, agricultural production, and economic sustainability. A qualitative thematic approach was employed to analyze the available evidence and identify major themes and findings. The findings indicate that agroforestry has substantial potential to improve food availability and diversity, soil fertility, water conservation, carbon storage, ecosystem resilience, and rural incomes. In Afghanistan, agroforestry systems based on species such as pistachio, wild almond, willow, mulberry, eucalyptus, and plane trees show considerable potential for expansion. However, their wider adoption remains constrained by limited scientific and field-based evidence, inadequate technical and institutional capacity, limited financial support, and uncertainties surrounding land ownership and use. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of agroforestry across Afghanistan’s diverse climatic regions, particularly its potential for carbon sequestration, soil and water conservation, agricultural productivity, economic benefits, and rural livelihood resilience. Such research is essential for developing effective, locally appropriate management approaches. Overall, agroforestry represents a promising climate-smart strategy that can simultaneously strengthen food security, climate resilience, ecosystem sustainability, and rural livelihoods in Afghanistan.

Agricultural Production under Climate Change in Afghanistan: Impacts, Challenges and Adaptation Options (A Review)

Mohammad Shafiq Faieq — 2026-10-16

Climate change poses serious challenges to agriculture in Afghanistan, a country largely dependent on rainfed farming and highly vulnerable to water scarcity, drought, and temperature extremes. Understanding the impacts of climate variability and identifying effective adaptation strategies are essential to sustain agricultural productivity and ensure food security. This systematic review synthesizes empirical, modeling, and review studies on climate change effects on Afghan agriculture, assesses adaptation measures, and integrates regional experiences from Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. A structured literature search was conducted using peer-reviewed articles, institutional reports, and regional studies published between 2000 and 2025. Studies were selected based on relevance to Afghan agro-ecological systems, climate stressors, and adaptation strategies. We extracted data using a structured table format following PRISMA guidelines, combining national and regional evidence. Findings indicate that water scarcity, prolonged drought, rising temperatures, and erratic precipitation are the main stressors affecting major crops, including wheat, barley, chickpea, maize, and cotton. Yield reductions ranged from 12% to 25% across provinces. Adaptation strategies such as Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), efficient irrigation (drip and sprinkler), rainwater harvesting, mulching, and drought- or heat-tolerant crop varieties were most effective. Regional evidence confirms the transferability of these measures under similar agro-climatic conditions. In conclusion, climate change significantly threatens agricultural productivity in Afghanistan. Evidence-based adaptation strategies, supported by coordinated policy and capacity-building initiatives, can enhance resilience, protect rural livelihoods, and ensure sustainable food security.

Factors Affecting Hatchability of Poultry Eggs

Faizrahman rahmani — 2026-10-16

Hatchability is a key indicator of reproductive efficiency and economic performance in poultry production. This narrative review synthesizes existing evidence on the major factors affecting poultry egg hatchability, with particular emphasis on fertility, genetic background, disease control, egg quality and selection, nutrition, and egg storage and incubation conditions. The reviewed evidence indicates that fertility is a fundamental determinant of hatchability, while genetic background can influence reproductive performance, with crossbreeding sometimes improving hatchability through heterosis and inbreeding being associated with reduced embryo viability. Disease and inadequate biosecurity may impair fertility and increase embryonic mortality, whereas appropriate egg selection, adequate maternal nutrition, and proper incubation management contribute to embryo survival and chick quality. Overall, hatchability is a multifactorial outcome, and sustainable improvement requires an integrated approach combining effective reproductive management, genetic improvement, disease prevention, appropriate egg selection, balanced nutrition, and proper storage and environmental control. Future research should focus on context-specific and cost-effective strategies, particularly breed-specific approaches and integrated management practices suitable for smallholder and low-input poultry production systems.

Economic and Technical Significance of Cold Storage Facilities for the Preservation of Agricultural Produce in Afghanistan

Khal Mohammad Ahmadzai — 2026-10-16

This article aims to examine the economic and technical importance of cold storage facilities, their current status in Afghanistan, the types and equipment of cold storage facilities, and the challenges associated with the development of the cold chain. The research method is a narrative review, drawing on institutional reports, documents related to the agricultural sector, and scientific articles published on post-harvest storage and cold storage technology. According to figures reported in sources from the relevant ministries, Afghanistan has 3,178 storage units, including 3,063 farm-level storage units, 41 commercial units, and 74 cooperative units. The total storage capacity is also reported to be approximately 180 thousand metric tonnes, compared with an annual production of Approximately 5.84 million metric tonnes of fruits and vegetables. The article concludes that developing standard cold storage facilities, ensuring a reliable energy supply, training human resources, improving product packaging and transportation, and establishing a sustainable cold chain management system can help reduce losses and improve the market performance of agricultural products in Afghanistan.

A Narrative Analysis of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Designing Smart Tooles for Identifying and Growing Farm Animals

sebghatullah subat — 2026-10-16

The increasing world population and demand for animal products have increased the need to improve farm management. Artificial intelligence, as a new technology, plays an important role in data analysis and production optimization. In this study, applications of artificial intelligence in the design and development of tools for identification, monitoring, nutrition, health, and welfare of farm animals was conducted, and challenges and opportunities were analyzed. This research was conducted as a narrative review and was based on the collection, analysis, and classification of relevant research findings from scientific and international sources published between 2015 and 2024. In this process, 55 articles were initially collected, and after applying screening steps, 20 articles related to the topic were selected and analyzed qualitatively. The findings indicate that AI has significantly contributed to accurate animal identification, movement tracking, monitoring of growth and feeding patterns, early disease detection, and assessment of animal welfare and stress. Despite these advancements, challenges such as inadequate digital infrastructure, a shortage of skilled personnel, and financial constraints—particularly in developing countries like Afghanistan—hinder the full-scale adoption of these technologies. Accordingly, the study recommends enhancing specialized training, strengthening information technology infrastructure, and implementing supportive policies to facilitate the localization and sustainable development of AI technologies. Such efforts would not only improve livestock production and welfare but also enhance the sector’s contribution to economic growth and food security. This review can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the livestock industry seeking to optimize the use of AI in animal farming.