Fish farms see mushroom growth in Kandahar

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Fish farms have been growing at a good clip in southern Kandahar province, which produces about 6,800 tonnes of flesh in the solar year 1389.

Agriculture official Eng. Mohammadullah Noori told Pajhwok Afghan News fish farming in Kandahar began in 2007. However, most of fish died for different reasons in initial days.

He said about 186 new fish farms were established last year. The number of farms in the province has now soared to 1,714, producing 6,800 tonnes of fish this year.

Besides Kandahar, fish-farming is also becoming popular in neighbouring Helmand, Farah, Herat, Kabul and Nangarhar provinces.

He added 4.5 kilograms of fish accounted for 1,400 afghanis. Three fish types -- grass carp, silver carp and common carp -- are kept in Kandahar farms.

Noori said each farm had about 2,500 fish and produces 4,000 kilograms of fish. The first farm was built in 2012, six in 2013, 92 in 2014 and 176 last year.

Dozens of individuals approached the Agriculture Department daily for permission to set up farms, the official added.

Given the growing appetite of Kandahar residents for fish, the business is all set to flourish. Government support will enable farmers to expand their projects -- and maximise profits from them.

sa/mu