In Kandahar, fish farming surges by 40pc

KANDAHAR (Pajhwok): The fish farming business in southern Kandahar province has surged by 40 percent this year, meeting 60 percent of provincial demand, officials said on Saturday.

Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Director Maulvi Shamsur Rahman Musa told Pajhwok Afghan News, the number of fish farms in the province had risen to 1,750, showing a 40 surge.

Due to war in the past, a large number of fish farms had been closed. Since mid-August 2021, he said, not only the closed farms had been reactivated, but 93 new ones were also created.

Some of the existing 1,750 farms are located in Kandahar City and adjoining districts like Dand, Zherai, Daman and Arghandab. Similar farms existed in Takhta Pul, Maiwand and Shah Wali Kot districts, he added.

Musa said 152 of the fish farms were huge, covering 10 to 25 acres of land. Each has capacity for 3,000 fish that could grow to two kilograms in a year. The rest are small farms.

Currently, only 152 of the farms supply meat to residents of Kandahar and meet 60 percent of provincial demand.

But the Agriculture Department is struggling to increase the number of farms and attract assistance for them to meet all of Kandahar’s needs and prevent imports.

Fazel Ahmad, head of fish farmers’ union, acknowledged receiving assistance. But he said the assistance was inadequate.

Haji Mohammad, who closed his fish farms for some reasons in the past, recently reopened them. He wants to expand his business, confirming the receipt of some support from the government.

“I closed my farms last year and sold all fish. But after receiving assistance,, I have reopened two of my farms,” he explained.

Abdul Karim, a pisciculturist who owns a 16.5 acres farm, supplies small fish to other ponds.

“I’ve been in this business for eight years and have received some assistance. But fish aquaculturists need more basic support, advice and water supply,” he remarked.

Kandahar farms currently produce three types of fish. A kilogram of locally produced fish sells for 180afs while the variety imported from Pakistan costs 130 afs.

aw/mud

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