Press Release

Kabul AgFair Promotes Afghanistan’s Agricultural Bounty and International Trade

Kabul, Afghanistan  | Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Today, thousands of farmers, agribusiness representatives, international investors, government officials, and visitors came together for the launch of the Kabul International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable AgFair.  Held at Badam Bagh Farm, the fair showcases Afghanistan’s wealth of fresh produce, provides lucrative business opportunities, and demonstrates innovative agricultural technologies.  It is expected to attract more than 50,000 participants from May 21-22.

U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and Afghan Acting Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) Saleem Kunduzi gave opening remarks at the AgFair’s launch.  “The United States Government is co-sponsoring national and regional AgFairs like this one to encourage trade and generate business opportunities in the agriculture sector,” Ambassador Eikenberry said.  “In a country that is 80 percent rural, promoting licit crops and agriculture sector job creation are two essential steps to successful development in the region.”

The AgFair features 180 booths and tents, where Afghan and international exhibitors and agribusinesses will display their produce, value-added products, and equipment.  A productivity center will offer sessions on greenhouses, grape trellising, soil testing, pesticide application, food safety standards, and cashmere harvesting.

The fair will also host business-to-business matchmaking meetings between Afghan agribusiness owners and representatives from India, China, Kuwait, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  By facilitating these business deals and partnerships, the AgFair will help develop lucrative export opportunities for the country’s fresh fruit and vegetables, creating thousands of jobs for Afghan farmers.

The Kabul International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable AgFair is the tenth such agricultural fair held in Afghanistan.  These fairs have attracted more than 500,000 participants from across the nation and the world, generated millions of dollars in sales of the country’s high-value produce, and have provided participants with a competitive edge in one of the fastest growing markets in Central Asia. USAID organizes AgFairs in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA), the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA), and the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).