KABUL (TCA) — Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock on October 1 said that under the alternate poppy cultivation project, it will establish 75 greenhouses in three provinces to promote cultivation of aloe vera, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported.
The Agriculture Minister Nasir Ahmad Durrani made the remarks at a gathering in Nangarhar province where he signed contracts for establishment of 75 greenhouses with community development councils, known as CDCs.
It is believed that revenues from opium poppy cultivation fuel insurgency in the war-torn country.
Durrani said the greenhouses will be built in Nangarhar, Badghis and Farah provinces and that farmers, in addition to vegetables, will cultivate aloe vera in these greenhouses which he said is an expensive plant.
He said aloe vera will be cultivated in the greenhouses as a pilot project and that a big number of farmers will cultivate aloe vera as an alternative to poppy in the near future.
Aloe vera is a plant which is used for industrial and medical purposes and also is being used in composition of energy drinks which has made it a valuable plant.
“Aloe vera is an industrial, medical and commercial plant which needs less water and once it is cultivated, it will give products for up to four years,” said Durrani.
The minister also said that they are going to develop Nangarhar Canal Project and it will be changed into a state-owned corporation.
“We have started initial work on Nangarhar Canal Project for its development. Also, we have bought a big machinery from Italy for the project’s factory which will arrive soon,” Durrani added.
“By development of the canal, work opportunities will be provided for thousands of people and revenues [from agricultural production] will increase,” Nangarhar Governor Hayatullah Hayat said.
