First-ever agri, dairy products’ expo held in Kunar

ASADABAD (Pajhwok): An exhibition of agriculture and dairy products was held for the first time in eastern Kunar province on Sunday, officials said.

At the expo, farmers from Asadabad, the provincial capital, and districts have displayed their products. The show coincides with the launch of the spring tree plantation campaign which also kicked off today.

Kunar agriculture director Inamullah Sapai said 1.2 million saplings were planted in the province this year. All the plants had grown.

Sapai told Pajhwok Afghan News Kunar would be a great citrus exporting province on national level in the next three years.

According to him, walnuts remain major export from Kunar where dairy products weighing 60 tonnes are produced daily.

Sapai said they were making efforts to increase fish production as well to prevent import of food from other areas.

Azizullah, a farmer who has showcased his products at the exhibition, said there were many pastures in Kunar, which provided a proper breeding area for livestock farming.

“Cheese is produced magnificently in Kunar and milk is also found in large amounts; but the products’ consuming has been low and farmer couldn’t earn a good profit.”

He asked the government to construct a dairy products processing factory in Kunar in order farmers presented their products to the market.

Governor Wahidullah Kalimzai asked all Kunaris to plant at least two seedlings and maintain them.

About 100 water wells and as many reservoirs were dug up this year in rain-fed lands and the water pumps could be run on solar power all the day, he added.

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