The 32nd Agricultural and Livestock Products Exhibition opened in Badam Bagh, Kabul, with the participation of domestic and international officials.
A total of 263 booths from across Afghanistan, including 56 dedicated to women, showcased their products.
At the opening ceremony, the acting Minister of Agriculture stated that economic projects have been prioritized and that 180,000 jeribs of land have been allocated for the growth of this sector.
Attaullah Omari, acting minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and livestock, said: “The Islamic Emirate has also prepared daily special programs for farmers and livestock breeders to help strengthen these two groups.”
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s deputy minister of agriculture Jamshid Abduzukhurov, said that economic interaction between Kabul and Tashkent are increasing and that trade between the two countries reached over $500 million in 2023.
He stated: “Economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan is very important. We are neighboring countries and must expand these relations. In 2023, trade volume between the two countries increased from around $400 million to $500 million, a 130% increase. We are committed to economic cooperation with Afghanistan.”
Richard Trenchard, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Afghanistan, also assured continued support for Afghan farmers.
He said: “FAO and other partners across the UN, but also the NGOs, the international NGOs, in the last two or three years we’ve had large programmes here in Afghanistan. I can tell you that none of this would have been possible without the coordination, without the support, without the hard work, relentless work of the leadership in the ministry and the teams around the country, in the provinces.”
Women exhibitors had a significant presence at the event, showcasing their local products in the handicrafts sector.
Suraya, an exhibitor, said: “I’m very happy that such exhibitions are held, as they can serve as a bridge between artists and other sectors of society.”
Another woman exhibitor said: “We request to be invited to more exhibitions, not only within Afghanistan but also internationally, so we can present our products abroad.”
This four-day exhibition features farmers, industrialists, and traders from eight zones of Afghanistan displaying their products in 263 booths across various sectors.