Nearly 2m chick hatched in Kandahar every month

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): About two million chicks are being produced every month in several poultry farms in southern Kandahar, meeting 70 percent of the province’s chicken meat demand and supplying neighbouring provinces.

Mohammad Hanif Haqmal, spokesman for the Agriculture Department, told Pajhwok that a large poultry production facility, along with several smaller ones, is operational in Kandahar, regularly supplying chicks to the market.

“These factories produce approximately 1.95 million chicks per month, which are distributed not only within Kandahar but also to nearby provinces,” Haqmal said. He added that the government has facilitated land provision for investors and is encouraging others to invest in the sector to fully meet Kandahar’s poultry needs.

Haqmal noted significant progress in chick production compared to last year. “Currently, 70 percent of the demand is met, whereas a year ago, production fulfilled only 20 percent of local needs. More investment is required to meet 100 percent of demand,” he said.

Officials from the production facilities said increased support and improved infrastructure would encourage further investment.

One major factory, Watan Dana, which also produces chicken feed, began chick production in solar year 1403 and now produces 1.5 million chicks per month. The factory has invested $5 million in chick production and employs 70 workers.

Mohammad Idris, a Watan Dana representative, told Pajhwok that 70 percent of hatching eggs are imported, while 30 percent come from their own farms. Efforts are underway to expand local hatching farms to reduce reliance on imports.

“We supply 1.5 million chicks to the market each month. Currently, 70 percent of hatching eggs are imported and 30 percent are from our farms. We are working to produce all eggs locally,” he said.

He also urged the government to support the poultry sector by increasing taxes on imported chicks and eggs while promoting local farms and factories.

Workers at the facilities expressed satisfaction with their jobs, noting that products previously imported are now made locally, benefiting the economy.

“I am very happy and satisfied with my work because many young people are employed here,” said Mohammad Abid, an employee at Watan Dana. “Chicks that were previously imported from Pakistan are now produced locally, bringing profits and benefits to Afghan citizens.”

hz/sa