KABUL - The Agriculture Ministry on Sunday announced 400 development projects concerning agriculture, irrigation, food security and creating jobs in central Kabul province.

Announcing the $32 million worth schemes, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Asif Rahimi told a news conference the projects would help improve irrigation system and create a development fund for the agriculture sector.

Kabul Agriculture Director Hashmatullah Inayat, welcoming the announcement, said the projects would be implemented in all districts of Kabul province.

He said about 485 projects were executed this year in various districts of Kabul and the schemes had a significant effect on development of the agriculture sector.

During the year, he said farmers were distributed equipment, a garden of various fruits was established over 1,500 acres of land and 90 tons of improved wheat seeds and 270 tons of fertilizer given to 3834 farmers, he said.

Other projects completed during the period included the establishment of poultry farms for 840 families and the distribution of anti-plant diseases medicines, he added.

Kabul Governor Abdul Jabbar Taqwa said 485 projects worth $15 million had been implemented in the province.

He asked farmers to cooperate with the agriculture department during the implementation of projects in order to reduce reliance on imports from neighboring countries.

Afghanistan produces 5.3 million tons of wheat and its requirement stands at 5.7 million tons. (Pajhwok)