In order to modernise and enhance the agriculture sector, Afghanistan seeks investment from India as well as other countries, especially investment by the private sector. Afghanistan has the potential to absorb about US $4 billion in the next three years, especially in value chain, resource management, forest management, and food processing, according to Afghanistan’s minister of agriculture, irrigation and livestock, Mohammad Asif Rahimi.
Rahimi invited Indian farmers and industry to invest in Afghanistan so that they could increase their business while helping his country to rejuvenate as it has slowly risen from the ashes. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the CII Agro Tech 2010 International Conference on “Future of Indian Agriculture-Sustaining Indian Agriculture Growth”, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Chandigarh. “Indian entrepreneurs had a great opportunity as they would be welcomed in his country with an open heart. We are giving highest priority to agriculture. The agriculture sector has the potential to absorb US $ 4 billion investment alone. The investment in value chain will create jobs for Afghan nationals and finally help the Indian food processing companies.” he said. At present Afghanistan is exporting almond, pomegranate, resins, walnuts, apples and grapes to India through Pakistan. Very soon, it would be exporting saffron, olive, olive oil, medicinal herb and oil to India.
He also said the Afghan government would facilitate the Indian companies’ investment by providing them legal framework, land on long lease for 90 years, will provide infrastructure etc besides providing credit to the farmers for increasing their production thereby benefiting the Indian companies. He said Indian entrepreneurs would be willingly welcomed in his country. He said most people in Afghanistan could speak Hindi and hence the industry would not have any difficulty in communicating with them.
He mentioned countries like Britain, Canada, Australia, America, UAE, India as already having invested in various sectors. He added, “Besides, we are seeking assistance from India in terms of new technology for the agri sector like new techniques like drip irrigation. In broader terms to use new technology in the agriculture and allied sector to fuel the growth of agricultural production in our country”.
Rahimi said many Indians were already working in Afghanistan, who could also help in the proper management and application of technology for mordernising agriculture. India, he said, was ahead in every field and about 4,000 Afghani students at present are studying there. “We are eagerly awaiting their return so that we can take benefit of their education,” he said.
“At the same time, India is also the largest buyer of many products like dry fruits etc from Afghanistan.” He said before the year 2000, his country had a three per cent growth in the agriculture sector but it fell drastically after that. However, in 2008, it recorded a four per cent increase but a bigger boost was necessary to feed the people. This was possible only with the introduction of latest technology in agriculture and India could be of immense help in this process.