Press Release

Minister Ramin greets international donors

Badam Bagh, Kabul, Afghanistan  | Sunday, April 20, 2008

On April 20, Minister Obaidullah Ramin of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock hosted a group of international donors at Badam Bagh Fairgrounds in Kabul. 

Minister Ramin welcomed the group to Kabul and expressed appreciation for the contributions the international community has made in agriculture sector rehabilitation.  According to Minister Ramin, “Each donor here has contributed to Afghanistan’s development and many have contributed specifically to the agriculture sector.  We look forward to continuing our partnerships.”

A number of local businesses supported by the US Agency for International Development were present at the event, including the Afghan Women’s Business Federation and Turquoise Mountain Foundation.

Minister Ramin also led a tour of AgFarm, a 57-hectare demonstration farm that the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock developed in partnership with USAID.  AgFarm was built to demonstrate new technologies in water resource management, season extension and new fodder crops that are beneficial to the soil.

The donors are in Kabul to discuss improvements in donor coordination and aid effectiveness prior to the Paris Support Conference in June.