May 16, 2006

Afghanistan to embark on US$5 million fisheries project

Afghanistan's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Livestock would begin fisheries projects in 12 provinces to provide an alternative livelihood to poppy growers, said  Khalilullah Frogh, head of the fisheries branch in the ministry Monday (May 15).

The projects, costing a total of US$4.8 million, would be assisted by several donor countries, Frogh announced at a workshop to create awareness on fish farming.

Frogh said fish farming could provide income to farmers and could prove the best alternative to the illegal activity of growing of poppies. There are existing fish farms in 5 provinces.

The ministry is planning to encourage fish farming in all provinces and districts in the next five years to achieve self-sufficiency in fish.

The main suppliers of fish to Afghanistan currently are Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Iran.