Helmand milk processing factory being rehabilitated

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Reconstruction work has been launched on a milk processing factory that will cost 42 million afghanis in Lashkargah, the capital of southern Helmand province, an official announced on Wednesday.

Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Director Niaz Mohammad Wahaj told a ceremony in this regard that the factory dated back to the reign of former king Mohammad Zahir Shah, but it was completely destroyed during the previous administration.

He said reconstruction work on this factory kicked off today by the private sector.

He added: “About 40 tons of milk would be processed in the factory every eight hours. The factory would also produce yogurt, cheese and products of the factory would also be exported to neighboring provinces.”

At the same time, the factory’s manager, Dr. Mohammadullah, said: "We will bring milk from all districts of Helmand and it will be processed in this factory.”

He added 120 people will be directly employed in the factory and around 4,000 people will be indirectly employed.

A large number of industrial factories have been reactivated in various parts of the country after the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) takeover.

kk/ma