Exhibition of agricultural, domestic products kicks off in Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), a four-day exhibition of agricultural and domestic products commenced in Kabul on Wednesday.

The show titled ‘agricultural development guarantees people’s prosperity’ was launched in Badam Bagh area of Kabul.

Agricultural, horticultural and livestock, processed products, handicrafts, agricultural machinery, saffron, medicinal herbs, irrigation equipment, fruit bearing and ornamental plants, solar power tools and domestic products have been put on display.

Besides a large number of farmers, horticulturists and industrialists, government officials including agriculture minister Maulvi Attaullah Omari, Da Afghanistan Bank head Idrees Qahiri, Kabul University chancellor Osama Aziz and several deputy ministers attended the opening ceremony.

Omari said products were showcased in 263 stalls, including 56 dedicated to women’s handicrafts.

He said that the show was aimed at developing Afghanistan’s agricultural sector and supporting domestic production.

He said through the exhibition, his ministry wanted to promote the culture of using domestic products, to promote the development of agriculture and livestock sector and to encourage farmers, gardeners and industrialists.

He hoped the exhibition would have significant achievements in signing contracts, marketing and encouraging and attracting investors.

Considering the value chain in agricultural and livestock products, Omari said his ministry was committed to providing marketing and sales opportunities to farmers at all stages from production to final consumption.

He asked all Afghans to play their role in the country’s stability and said the Ministry of Agriculture would always try to help and cooperate with farmers.

His ministry took necessary measures last year in various fields, such as agriculture, livestock, water, and prevention of deforestation in the country.

The minister said the export of domestic products, mostly related to the agriculture, had increased compared to last year.

His deputy Maulvi Sadri Azam Osmani said that 80 percent of Afghanistan’s people were associated with agriculture.

He said agriculture was the backbone of Afghanistan’s economy and therefore MAIL paid much attention to it and was endeavoring address farmers’ problems.

He added that the Ministry of Agriculture had embarked on marketing the country’s agricultural products to create a good market for them and hoped Afghanistan would achieve good progress in the field of agriculture in the future.

Participants of the exhibition were happy to display their products, but they asked the government to find market for their goods at home and abroad.

An industrialist Najibullah Maqsudi from southern Kandahar province told Pajhwok Afghan News such shows were useful. He said Afghanistan’s products should be exhibited abroad so that they could connect with the world markets.

Rubina Salarzai, another participant, said she had put on display medicinal plants which were well known outside the country.

She said such events should be organized in the country and market for local products should be explored outside the country.

She called on the Afghans and the government to use local products instead of foreign products.

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