Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock said that they have implemented 271 projects in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, and livestock worth 300 million dollars with the help of international organizations over the past year.

Presenting their one-year achievements at the Government Media and Information Center in Kabul the acting minister Ataullah Omari said that the first phase of the Qush-Tepa canal has been completed.

"The work of the first phase [of Qush-Tepa canal] has been completed, and now work is also underway on the second and third phases. The final part, which is in Andkhoi, has also begun excavation. Construction activities have also started in the initial sections." Said Omari.

The acting minister added that they are striving to mechanize agriculture, enhance the resistance of plants to drought, prevent deforestation, preserve water resources, and mitigate the increasing impacts of drought in the country based on various plans.

"Farmers should be made aware to transform their traditional farming methods into modern practices." Ataullah Omari said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of AIL Sadr Azam Osmani expressed hope that the international community would fulfill their commitments regarding alternative livelihoods to narcotics.

He says they are currently in discussions with different countries to support Afghan farmers and have distributed saffron and cotton seeds to the farmers.

"Discussions are ongoing with international organizations in this regard. They have assured us, including Japan and others. In the third meeting held in Qatar, we were also assured, but nothing has been implemented so far." Said Sadr Azam Osmani.

On the other hand, the Deputy Minister for Irrigation and Natural Resources stated that they have initiated 138 projects to prevent water shortages, some of which have been implemented.

Baz Mohammad Faizan mentioned that they have constructed five large cold storage facilities to prevent the spoilage of farmers' produce.

"We have built 138 large check dams in the provinces. There are millions of small check dams, which you will see in various areas, still under construction." Said Baz Muhammad Faizan.

The distribution of 30,000 tons of seeds, 64,000 tons of chemical fertilizers, the construction of five large cold storage facilities, the storage of surplus wheat, and public awareness campaigns reaching over 150,000 farmers are among the achievements that the Ministry cites for the past year.