KABUL - Construction of a major dairy processing plant started in Rishkhor area on the outskirts of Kabul on Tuesday.
The plant is expected to process 80,000 litres of milk in 24 hours. Seven types of dairy including milk, yogurt, cheese, cream butter and dried curd will be produced in the factory.
The plant is estimated to cost 3.3 million US dollars, funded by the International Fund for Agriculture Development, said Agriculture Minister Nasir Ahmad Durrani, at a ceremony to lay foundation stone of the plant.
The project will be implanted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
Milk will be collected from livestock keepers in Parwan, Logar and Kabul provinces for processing in the plant.
Durrani said that the plant would reduce reliance on foreign imports by 25 percent.
According to the ministry, on an average, 1.9 million tons of milk are produced and consumed annually in Afghanistan.
Theminister called the start of the construction of theplant "another stride towards the growth, support and strengthening of livestock" that could help "reduce dairy imports and boost the national economy." (1TV News)