The Construction Work of Dense Gardens Begins

Hamal 17: April 6, 2021
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) officially started the construction of dense and non-dense orchards in Paghman district of Kabul province.
This ceremony was attended by President Mohammad Ashraf-Ghani through video conference, Dr. Anwarul Haq Ahady, MAIL Minister, MAIL deputies and directors, National Environmental Protection Agency and local officials of Kabul province.
In the beginning, Mr. Ahady, MAIL minister provided details about the construction of the mentioned orchards, which has been one of the 100 good news of the president.
This year was named as the year of “consistency and stimulus” by President Ghani “and is scheduled to give 100 good news to the citizens of the country in the first seventeen weeks of this year. This year, the third week of the week has been named as agriculture week. The first good news of the President in the agricultural sector is the beginning of construction of one thousand and two hundred hectares of new orchards in different parts of the country and the development of the horticultural sector.
Dr. Anwarul Haq Ahadi, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, at the mentioned ceremony of these orchards, expressed satisfaction with start of construction of these orchards and the support of the President for the agricultural sector, mentioned horticulture as one of the main pillars of agriculture and said, “Based on the main priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture in  horticulture sector, today we will start the construction of more than 1,200 hectares of new gardens in 13 provinces. Adding that These orchards, which include dense and non-dense orchards, will be orchards that will lead to increased fruit trade in the future and increase agricultural exports, which are a major part of Afghanistan's exports."
He also said that in addition to the construction of these gardens, MAIL plans to build more gardens this year, adding that the construction of 30,000 hectares of commercial pistachio orchards, 7,000 hectares of ostrich orchards, date orchards, jujube and some other fruits are among the main priorities of the MAIL.
Mr. Ahady stressed that with the construction of 30,000 hectares of pistachio orchards, Afghanistan could earn 700 million $ in this regard in a few years.
He stated that Horticulture sector has grown dramatically, adding that two million people are currently working in it.
He further stated that only MAIL’s National Horticulture and Livestock Program( NHLP) rehabilitated and constructed more than 40,000 hectares of new orchards, more than 8,000 hectares of pistachio orchards, as well as more than 90,000 hectares of old orchards in recent years.
Haji Homayoun one of the farmers of Paghman district has appreciated the attempts of MAIL in Horticulture sector and distribution of dense saplings to the gardeners, stating that the construction of dense orchards has upgraded farmers’ income and production.
After listening to MAIL minister’s speeches, Ghani thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for its plans in Horticulture sector. “Stating that major progress has been made in horticulture sector, President Ghani added Agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry are the foundations of the stability of our society. Without clear attention to agriculture, animal husbandry and horticulture, progress is difficult. The vast majority of our people make their living this way."
The president also added that an air corridor has been built and that most of the country's exports are agricultural items. The main problem for the country's agricultural products, he said, is not the lack of markets, but processing centers. Mr. Ghani emphasized that work and processing centers should be built in this field.
"Investing in the agriculture and horticulture sector will provide employment for hundreds of thousands of families and strengthen the formal economy," he added.
He said “A wrong mentality has been created that young people do not have a future in agriculture in the contrary, vise- versa young people have a good future in agriculture. Adding that Afghanistan's land, air and fruits have different characteristics around the world."
In his recent remarks, the President directed the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, the National Water Regulatory Authority and other relevant bodies to cooperate fully with Ministry of Agriculture in field of horticulture development in the country.