The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The Taliban Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock in Kandahar says the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has provided improved maize and mung bean seeds, along with chemical fertilizer, to 1,070 farmers across the province.
In a statement, the directorate said the assistance was distributed to farmers in Kandahar city and the districts of Dand, Arghandab, Loy Shawalikot, Zhari, Khakrez, Ghorak, Loy Maiwand, Arghistan, Nish and Miyanshin.
According to the statement, 905 farmers each received 12 kilograms of improved maize seed and 100 kilograms of chemical fertilizer, including urea and DAP fertilizer.
An additional 165 farmers each received 8 kilograms of improved mung bean seed and 50 kilograms of chemical fertilizer, the statement said.
The Taliban directorate said the assistance is intended to support farmers' livelihoods and promote alternative sources of income to reduce reliance on illicit crop cultivation.
FAO has implemented agricultural support programs in Afghanistan for years, providing improved seeds, fertilizer, farming equipment and technical training to strengthen agricultural production. The organization has also continued to support alternative livelihood initiatives, particularly in areas where poppy cultivation has historically been widespread.
