KABUL (SW) – To explore ways and means of processing agricultural products for the country’s economic growth, the Academy of Sciences held a one-day scientific research seminar on Sunday.
Officials at the Afghanistan Academy of Sciences say that there is currently no standardized process in the country that is why this seminar was held to identify the challenges of processing agricultural products and find solutions for them.
Mohammad-Tahir Rasuli, Deputy Chief Researcher at the Afghanistan Academy of Sciences, said that in order to address the challenges of processing agricultural products, the Academy has prepared 21 scientific and research articles that will be sent to the relevant institutions for consideration.
Waisuddin Javad, another researcher at the Academy of Sciences, mentioned the establishment of cold storage and balance in supply and demand as suitable solutions for processing agricultural products. He added: “This seminar was held to learn how we can process agricultural products and use them when necessary.”
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in a message sent on the occasion of this seminar, noted that six zones will be created for the processing of agricultural products in the country.
Mohammad-Miya Marhoun, a researcher at the Academy of Sciences, who read the message of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in this seminar, said: “This ministry will create six zones for the processing of agricultural products, which will provide a good basis for creating jobs and selling farmers’ products.”
Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock considered research, mechanization, proper cultivation, collection and processing and marketing of agricultural products among priorities. “The necessary measures will be taken to implement them,” said Nasrullah Talha, the head of Agriculture Research and Development at the Ministry.
As per to the Ministry of Agriculture, more than 19 processing and packaging centers of agricultural products are operating in seven zones of the country in Kabul, Herat, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Kunduz and Paktia provinces.
