The fish market in Kabul has reportedly been more profitable this winter than it was last year, according to some fish vendors and chefs.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) said efforts are being made to improve the nation’s fish farming industry and to raise fish production.
According to officials of MAIL, due to low domestic fish production, traders import up to 120 metric tons of fish from neighboring countries in winter and spring.
“We import 40 to 120 metric tons of fish each day from abroad during the winter. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock is working to promote the fish farming industry and is taking action to address the issues facing businessmen in this sector,” said Misbahuddin Mustaeen, the spokesperson of MAIL.
The fish market in Kabul has reportedly been more profitable this winter than it was last year, according to some fish vendors and chefs.
Fish sellers said that their sales had increased as a result of the nation’s low cost of domestically produced fish.
“Our highest cost fish is 300 Afghanis per kg. Fish worth 250 afghani are also available. Likewise, we charge 280 afghani for a kilogram of flounder. This fish does not have a spine,” said Habibullah, the chefs.
“Each day, I sell two cartons of raw fish. I make roughly 500 Afghanis every day selling this fish,” fish vendor Ziarat Gul told TOLOnews.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock asked the government to invest more to increase fish production in the country and to increase fish farming
“The bulk of the fish we eat is produced in Pakistan. My suggestion is that as more farms are created around the nation, more employment opportunities will arise, increasing both government and citizen revenue as well as our ability to consume domestically produced goods,” said Mirwais Hajizada, the deputy of the Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, there are over 3,000 fish farms in Afghanistan, but only 13,000 tons of fish are produced there each year, which is insufficient to meet the needs of the nation.—Tolonews
