Traders to build cold storage facilities in Kabul

KABUL):  A group of traders on Wednesday pledged to invest to build cold storage and processing facilities for agricultural products for farmers in some districts of Kabul.

Afghan traders, farmers and representatives from several international non-governmental organisations participated at the “Agriculture and Trade” conference in the Badambagh research farm of Kabul.

Locally grown fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches and vegetables are sold at low prices due to the lack of storage and marketing facilities for these farm products, director of Kabul agriculture department, Hashmatullah Anayat told Pajhwok Afghan News.

At the meeting, some traders decided to establish cold storage facilities for fresh fruits and vegetables in the districts in Kabul, he said, adding the exact number of the facilities and locations would be revealed next week.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), 40 percent of agricultural products go to waste due to lack of cold storages rooms in the country.

He said the ministry promised to provide land to the private sector for the projects but investments would come from the traders themselves.

Some traders also agreed to explore new markets for the agricultural products, he added.

Kabul Governor Ahmadullah Alizai, while addressing the gathering, said that $14.2 million (about 710 million afs) were allocated by MAIL for development of the agriculture sector in 14 districts in Kabul.

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