31st Agricultural and Livestock Products Exhibition Held in Kabul

The 31st Agricultural and Livestock Products Exhibition was inaugurated today (Wednesday) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock in Kabul, with the participation of high-ranking officials of the Islamic Emirate.

At the opening ceremony of this exhibition, officials of the Islamic Emirate referred to farmers as the main suppliers of Afghanistan’s fundamental needs and stated that the purpose of holding this exhibition is to introduce agricultural products and promote their marketing.

According to the economic and political deputies of the Prime Minister’s Office, since the caretaker government took over the country, poppy cultivation has nearly been eradicated, and efforts are underway to provide alternative crops for farmers and manage the country’s water resources.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, said: “The Islamic Emirate continuously strives to strengthen the agriculture and livestock sectors and supports domestic products.”

Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Mawlawi Abdul Kabir said: “We call on regional countries, especially neighboring countries, not to create obstacles for Afghan traders, not to block routes, and to allow Afghan agricultural products to reach global markets.”

The acting Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock also said that this year’s agricultural harvest in the country exceeded the people’s needs by 65%. The minister further noted that although more than four decades of war have destroyed Afghanistan’s infrastructure and severely damaged the agricultural sector, over the past three years, agriculture in Afghanistan has witnessed significant growth and development.

Attaullah Omari, acting Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, said: “All of our products this year were abundant and sufficiently plentiful. If we estimate, 25 to 30% of our products meet Afghanistan’s needs, while 60 to 65% are surplus for our people.”

Meanwhile, the acting ministers of industry and Commerce, and Refugees and Repatriation also stressed supporting agricultural products and marketing them both inside and outside the country.

Nooruddin Azizi, the acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, said: “By adhering to the economic-focused policies of the Islamic Emirate, support for the private sector to create job opportunities has been prioritized in our programs.”

According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, the 31st Agricultural and Livestock Products Exhibition has been organized with 263 booths, 56 of which are dedicated to women’s production industries, and will be held for four days.