The Ministry of Industry and Commerce plans to activate all unfinished cold storage facilities across the country.
Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, stated that a meeting was held aimed at reactivating inactive cold storage facilities. In this meeting, emphasis was placed on the process of activating 14 cold storage facilities in 12 provinces of the country.
The spokesperson said: "In discussions regarding the activation of semi-finished cold storage facilities, especially the 14 facilities located in various provinces, the existing resources, capacities, and better strategies for activating these facilities were thoroughly reviewed."
The Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock noted that these cold storage facilities are located in Logar, Parwan, Kapisa, and Maidan Wardak provinces. The construction work on these facilities has only progressed by five percent. Once operational, these facilities will significantly improve the preservation of agricultural products.
Mirwais Haji Zada, Deputy Head of the Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock, stated: "In the provinces of Kapisa, Logar, Maidan Wardak, and Paktia, construction on cold storage facilities had progressed only five percent in the past and was subsequently halted. Recently, the Minister of Industry and Commerce has made significant efforts, emphasizing the need to develop a comprehensive plan for these facilities."
The lack of cold storage facilities in the country is one of the major challenges, which, in addition to other losses, disproportionately affects the farmers. Each year, a substantial portion of agricultural products either spoils due to the absence of proper storage facilities or is sold at extremely low prices.
Abdul Keshur Hada Wal, an economic expert, stated: "By utilizing these cold storage facilities, we can preserve seasonal products for the next season."
Previously, Chinese diplomats, during a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, proposed the establishment of three large cold storage facilities with a capacity of 1,500 tons each in the provinces of Takhar, Kabul, and Badakhshan for preserving fresh fruits and vegetables from Afghanistan.
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