Durrani demands $500m for agricultural self-sufficiency

KABUL self-reliant in the agriculture sector.

He was summoned by the Wolesi Jirga or lower house of parliament to offer reasons for the deteriorated agricultural situation in the country.

Durrani acknowledged that Afghanistan agriculture sector was currently down compared to the time of Daud Khan. He said Afghanistan’s vegetables and fruits did not meet the standard required in the international market.

He said a large amount of Afghanistan fruits could not be exported because the machinery to ensure their quality was not available.

Durrani said construction of cold stores required $3 million, while his ministry has $100 million development budget and in this capacity the ministry could not improve its products.

“If you want to improve the agriculture sector then approve $500 budget for three continued years and I assure you that after four years the country will be self-sufficient in agriculture.”

Durrani demanded close coordination among several government institutions saying that development of agriculture sector was not a sole responsibility of his ministry.

He said the ministry strived hard to improve the agriculture sector in its existing capacity.

Afghan traders on Tuesday managed to win pomegranate juice contracts for Oman and Saudi Arabia worth $350 million.

Speaker Mir Rahman Rahmani said that the Wolesi Jirga was ready to cooperate in matters related to the budget of the agriculture ministry.

nh/ma

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