JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Poultry farms owners in eastern Nangarhar province say chicken and its meat is smuggled into Afghanistan from Pakistan, affecting their business.
The affected companies include those that produce chicken feed and export it to foreign countries. One of these companies is Tal Pasarlai, which produces chicken feed grains and exports them to Tajikistan.
Zahidullah, an official of the company, told Pajhwok Afghan News that its business had deteriorated compared to the past and its production declined and its number of workers had decreased.
He attributed the situation to a drop in demand and the smuggling of chickens from Pakistan, adding that if the Taliban did not stop the smuggling, their business would collapse.
The official said that in the previous government, they operated three factories and employed hundreds of people directly and indirectly.
According to him, the chicken feed they produced is of world class quality and has customers both at home and abroad. But he noted that with recent changes, one factory was closed, and production and laborers decreased.
Workers, on the other hand, said they were happy over their jobs at home and urged the government to support the private sector so that they do not become unemployed.
One of them, Ahdullah, said: "I am thankful that I have been offered a job in my country. The government should support the private sector to prevent unemployment."
At the same time, the company's food delivery drivers to Tajikistan are happy to be able to travel from Jalalabad to Tajikistan more safely than before.
Economists believe if domestic production is given priority, it will strengthen the country's economy and create jobs for the unemployed people.
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