KABUL (Pajhwok): The 35th autumn exhibition of agricultural and livestock products opened at Badam Bagh in Kabul on Wednesday, with the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock saying efforts were under way to replace traditional farming and livestock practices with modern methods to boost production and farmers’ incomes.
The four-day exhibition was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock on November 4 under the slogan: “Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock, Advanced Farming, Better Economy and Better Life”.
According to a ministry statement, the exhibition features agricultural and horticultural products, livestock and processed goods, handicrafts, agricultural machinery, saffron, medicinal plants, irrigation equipment, fruit-bearing and non-fruit-bearing saplings, solar power generators and other domestic products.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Mawlawi Ataullah Omari said Afghanistan had considerable potential in agriculture and livestock farming, and that these capacities should be used to increase production and provide suitable markets for the products.
“Our responsibility is to increase production by making use of these capacities and provide suitable markets for it. We hope farmers, livestock owners and traders will make the most of this exhibition and be able to sell their products,” he said.
Omari urged farmers, livestock owners and traders to use the exhibition to promote and sell their products.
He said the ministry planned to modernise traditional farming and livestock practices and introduce standard methods to increase production and the incomes of farmers and livestock owners.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Mawlawi Sadr Azam Osmani said Afghanistan had achieved self-sufficiency in several agricultural products over the past five years and was nearing self-sufficiency in some others.
He urged farmers to work towards standardising their products and called on citizens to support the country’s agricultural sector by purchasing locally produced goods.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment Chairman Sayed Karim Hashemi said better use of the country’s agricultural and livestock potential required increased production of quality goods, improved processing and greater access to domestic and international markets.
He stressed that the type, quantity and quality of products should be determined according to market needs and demand.
hz/sa
