7M Metric Tons of Wheat Needed Annually: Dep. Minister

Sadar Azam Osmani, deputy minister of agriculture, irrigation, and livestock, said that nearly 600,000 people have been affected by the ban on poppy cultivation in the country.

In an exclusive interview he said that efforts are underway, in collaboration with the United Nations, to assist farmers who have suffered due to this ban.

Osmani also emphasized that the ministry is working on various programs to modernize Afghanistan’s agricultural sector.

The deputy minister of agriculture, irrigation, and livestock stated: “Five hundred and ninety thousand people have been affected. Additionally, 6,200 metric tons of our production have been depleted. We also had an income of 13 million dollars, which has been lost as well.”

This official of the Islamic Emirate further highlighted that Afghanistan’s annual wheat requirement is 7 million metric tons. He noted that, at present, Afghanistan produces 5 million metric tons of wheat annually, bringing the country close to self-sufficiency in wheat production.

He pointed out that over the past three years, Afghanistan’s legume production has increased from 96,000 metric tons to 127,000 metric tons.

Sadar Azam Osmani said: “Our annual requirement exceeds 7 million metric tons, but our current production has reached 5 million metric tons. At present, we need an additional 2 million metric tons. We are committed to producing these 2 million metric tons in the near future and resolving this issue.”

Referring to trade challenges between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the deputy minister of agriculture, irrigation, and livestock expressed hope that Afghanistan’s neighboring countries would provide better opportunities for the export of Afghan goods.

He also stated that efforts are being made to market Afghan agricultural products in global markets.

Sadar Azam Osmani said: “We seek good relations with neighboring countries and want to have constructive engagement with them. We are ready to cooperate in resolving any issues they may have. This is our policy; however, what they want is up to them.”

The official of the interim government stated that in the past three years, more than 700 million dollars have been spent, in collaboration with international organizations, to support farmers. This support includes the distribution of improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, and the construction of small and large check dams.

Osmani, referring to cold storage facilities, said that with support from the private sector, efforts are being made to activate the cold storage facilities at Bagram Military Base.