The Afghan Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock on Monday said that it plans to establish commercial farming programs by offering thousands of acres of land to farmers who intend to raise cash crops. 

The Agriculture Ministry says that the new program will help farmers to eventually increase their crops "tenfold."

Meanwhile, a number of farmers who previously raised cash crops said they achieved positive results from the initiative.

Nematullah Ghiyasi is a farmer in Kariz Mir area of Kabul. He started commercially farming in the area three years ago and attests to good harvests. 

“These fields started producing their first year, the yields increased significantly in the second year, and on average every plot has the ability to bring in 900,000 Afs,” said Ghiyasi.

Mahmoud is an Afghan farmer who has been commercially farming for the past 40 years.

“It gives proper yields, this type of gardening is very beneficial, it provides substantial crops,” said Mahmoud.

“This year we plan to establish gardens on over 40,000 acres of land in the country, the main parts will be for commercial farming. We are also trying to establish business gardens for figs and dates,” said Akbar Rustami, a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture.

Afghanistan, despite having fertile lands and excellent fruit always imports fruits from other countries because of the lack of facilities.

Farmers said that the establishment of commercial farmland will help to reduce imports and increase domestic production.