The Economic Commission's usual meeting was led by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund. The session was held at the Marmarin Palace.
As scheduled, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock put before the Commission a proposal to develop six agricultural, demonstration, and promotional complexes in Herat, Helmand, Nangarhar, and Balkh provinces. After careful consideration and recommendations by the Commission, the proposal was accepted. The complexes, to be constructed on 4,479 jeribs of land, will aim to reach out to farmers in modern and mechanized farming.
The Ministry also introduced a self-sufficiency policy for poultry, which was approved after meticulous consideration. Afghanistan is about to be self-sufficient in producing poultry meat and feed. Under the policy implementation, the country will likely attain self-sufficiency in the production of eggs as well. Currently, about 14,000 poultry farms are active all over the country, providing direct employment to 100,000 individuals and indirectly to another 300,000.
In addition, a dairy self-sufficiency policy was submitted and adopted following thorough assessment and according to the Commission's suggestions. The policy is intended to facilitate domestic processing and production of the country's dairy requirements and enhance the livestock industry.
A production plan of edible vegetable oils via self-reliance was also presented by the Ministry and approved after detailed discussion. In the plan, some 289,000 hectares of land from various provinces will be cultivated with cotton, soybean, sesame, mustard, linseed, and sunflower. The year 30% of the countrywide demand for edible vegetable oils will be covered.
Wrapping up the meeting, submissions in respect of numerous follow-up issues were tabled and endorsed by the Economic Commission.
All of the decisions have been sent for ratification by His Highness, the Amir al-Mu'mmin (God keep him safe).
