Milk production up manifold in Nangarhar: Canal officials

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Dairy milk production has increased manifold in eastern Nangarhar province this year due to growing number of dairy farms and proper feeding, Canal Project officials said on Saturday.

Dairy farms produced 88,000 litres of milk last year.

Canal Project spokesman Sayed Humayoun Gharibmal told Pajhwok Afghan News their farm had a total of 272 cows, but only 45 cows produced milk this year.

All animals of the farm were fed properly and veterinarian visited them regularly.

Right now milk-producing cows produced 450 litres of milk daily, he said.

He added the farm produced over 88,000 litres of milk last year, but according to the current production level, officials expected about 216,000 litres of milk this year.

Gharibmal said: “Another company has expressed its determination to strengthen the farming sector and take dairy production level to the country’s self-sufficiency. He thinks the farming sector is a great source to strengthen domestic economy with.”

Livestock farm section heat at the Canal Project, Sayed Fasihullah, said the reason behind increased dairy products was proper feeding of cows and providing them health services on time.

Fasihullah said: “There are a total of 272 cows in the farm and only 45 of them lactating while all livestock are fed properly, the farns are kept clean and professional vets visit them regularly.”

However, a number of Jalalabad inhabitants demanded of the Canal Department to set up proper milk selling points in the city.

A resident of Jalalabad city Sayed Wafiullah told Pajhwok: “The Canal Project has branches that sell olive oil and pickle in different parts of the city, similar points are needed to provide the residents with dairy products as well.”

But Canal Project officials say the production of dairy products is currentl insufficient to be supplied to all residents of Jalalabad city, but efforts are underway to begin this process in the future.

Gharibmal said: “We have started efforts to rehabilitate the remaining three farms which have been destroyed in the past wars with the help of the private sector. Luckily the second farm will be activated in near future.”

Decades ago, the livestock farms of the Canal Project would produce milk powder and fresh milk for consumers in Jalalabad city and the milk was also transported to Kabul.

aw/ma

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