SHIBERGHAN (PAN): Officials said economy of Jawzjan province could not flourish and investors were not willing to invest in the province because of multiple problems. 
Known as an economic corridor among Balkh, Faryab and Sar-i-Pul provinces, Jawzjan failed to attract substantial investment.
The province is rich as far as its natural resources are concerned but its resources could not be utilized in larger interests of the locals.
More than 140 wells of natural gas had been pointed out and dug during the occupation of soviet forces in Afghanistan but the reserves were barred following the withdrawal of soviet troops from Afghanistan in 1980s.
Meanwhile, as many as 36 wells of natural gas have been functioning and the gas is being supplied to local and industrial usage in Shiberghan city.
The residents demanded the authorities to start more gas excavation which would not only accommodate the needs of neighboring provinces but also minimize the import of low quality gas from Turkmenistan and other Central Asian States.
Agriculture:
Agriculture and livestock sectors are main sources of Jawzjan economy where 80% of its population is associated with the vital sectors.
Engineer Abdul Rashid, head of provincial agriculture department has said agriculture and livestock sectors could be developed if adequate amount of water has to be provided to the farmers. 
He said the progress of agriculture and livestock sector was depending more on advanced machineries as compared to the old agriculture system. He said in the wake of assistance extended by internal and foreign sources the agriculture and economy of the province was moving on path to progress.
Based on the information of provincial agriculture department, Jawzjan farmers of the province get thousands tons of crops from 175,000 hectares irrigated and 40,000 hectares rain-fed lands.
Engineer Abdul Rashid stated despite getting enough wheat, barley, sesame, cotton, vegetable, onions and peas crops, the miseries of the growers community could not be ended.
The farmers, community complained rehabilitation could not be taken forward in the province, blaming the agriculture department for demonstrating inefficiency.
Naik Mohammad, s resident of Mangoti village in Shiberghan city said he had around five acres land but he got only 50 kilogram refined wheat seeds twice during the last decade.
The issue of irrigation water shortage was getting serious but the relevant quarters did not take serious measures to resolve the issue on priority basis.
He said the construction of dam was essential to multiply agro crops in the province but currently vast cultivable lands were totally depending on rains.
Farmers of various districts said that authorities had no plan in place to meet the challenges in the wake of natural disasters.
They said another dilemma of the growers was the presence of rats that caused great inflict to their crops.
Alhaj Asadullah, a farmer from Qosh Tapah district said a number of farmers lost their crops because of natural disasters.
Nabiah Mustafa Zada, member of provincial council acknowledged agriculture sector was facing a number of problems, promising their problems would be resolved on priority and emergency bases.
He said the government did not pay attention to launch development projects of common welfare in the province.
He said though the current security situation was satisfactory to some extent, it was high time to shift more focus on developing the vital agriculture sector.
The current state of affairs was causing instability and unemployment in the province, he said, adding that steps should be taken to put the agriculture sector on modern lines.
Trade and investment:
According to Jawzjan Chamber of Commerce, investor are not willing to invest in the province that’s economy of the province cannot boom.
Yulbars Ataee, head of provincial chamber of commerce said lack of trust among investors and the deteriorated state of security were the main factors that discouraged development of the province.
In his chat with Pajhwok Afghan News, he said widespread cases of businessmen abduction was discouraging investment in the province.
He said the province had better prospect and opportunities for investment and investors should come forward to contribute to the economic strength of the province.
Private sector should be encouraged to invest in the province by establishment small industries in the province to provide a platform for further business activities.
He held the local authorities responsible for poor and unfriendly policies to woo more investment. He said the government was miserably failed to resolve problems of the business sectors and improve security or to provide a level playing field for investors.
Zakaria, a resident of Jawzjan and a businessman in Central Asian States said the province had no facilities for proper investment opportunities.
The government should work out a proper plan to establish and construct more companies in the province, he said, adding he was not allowed to establish any company rather he received threats.
Engineer Mohammad Hussain Saleh, another businessman said security forces were informed about the challenges being faced by the investors in the province but no action could be taken to discourage anti-investors measures.
Faqeer Mohammad Jawzjani, Lieutenant General of Police in the province denied businessmen were harassed, insisting the province had suitable environment for trade and investment.
He said security had been improved as compared to the past, adding that economy of the province was moving toward stability.
Handicraft:
Handicraft products had been reduced in the province to great extent. Jawzjan was largely known for producing special kinds of handicraft.
Weaving of carpets and different kinds of wearing made from animal herds are known in the province. In addition, women of Jawzjan are skilled in designing of clothes.
Copper and iron industries have been functioning.
Khirullah 62 said mud pots had lost its market these days as people preferred to buy advanced products.
He said handicraft industry was on the verge of collapse because its workers did not use quality materials in the products.
He demanded of holding of exhibitions for industrial products within and outside the country in a move to promote the handicraft of the province.
Mohammad Anwar, a resident of the province informed livestock sector was not moving forward, adding that people did not have interests to tame animals.
He said the continued wave of drought and lack of meadows had affected livestock negatively. Shima, a resident of Jawzjan said export of natural herbs had been reduced because of continued drought.