From October 6 to 8, thousands of visitors from Afghanistan and around the world converged on Badam Bagh Farm in Kabul to attend the 2010 International Agricultural Fair.  The AgFair hosted 136 Afghan and 40 international venders, showcasing the country’s crown jewels of agriculture, such as grapes, pomegranates, dried fruits, nuts, cashmere, and other high value crops and agricultural services.

U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, Minister Asif Rahimi and Deputy Minister Saleem Kunduzi of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) celebrated the opening of the fair.  “Afghanistan’s progress in the agriculture sector is helping lead this proud nation along the pathway to development and self sufficiency by helping feed the Afghan people, opening markets, and stimulating economic growth and investment opportunities,” lauded Ambassador Eikenberry.

USAID, in collaboration with MAIL, has sponsored 13 Agricultural Fairs since 2007 to encourage trade and generate business opportunities in the agricultural industry.  These fairs help participants forge new business relationships in Afghanistan’s growing agriculture sector.  They also bring together hundreds of producers, buyers, packagers, cold storage technology companies, equipment vendors, international representatives, and government agencies to facilitate stronger business linkages and partnerships.  Seminars, presentations, and demonstrations will share knowledge and best practices for increasing agricultural production.