The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Afghan agribusinesses are representing the country at the 42nd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition in Riyadh, showcasing saffron, dried fruits, and nuts with backing from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union.
The UNDP Afghanistan office said on X, formerly Twitter,
that the participation highlights how local entrepreneurs are connecting Afghan
farmers to international markets. “Afghan agribusinesses are shining at the
42nd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition,” the post said. “With support from UNDP
Afghanistan’s ACRP project, funded by the EU in Afghanistan, five Afghan
entrepreneurs are showcasing saffron, dried fruits, and nuts, connecting local
farmers to global markets.”
The initiative is part of the UNDP’s Area-Based Community
Resilience Programme (ACRP), which aims to strengthen livelihoods, support
private-sector development, and create economic opportunities for Afghan
communities struggling under the country’s ongoing humanitarian and financial
crises.
Officials say Afghanistan’s agricultural exports —
particularly saffron and dried fruits — remain a key source of income for rural
households and a vital link to sustaining the country’s economy amid
international isolation.
The Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, one of the Middle East’s
largest agricultural events, brings together producers, investors, and
international buyers. Afghan participation in the event marks one of the few
examples of the country’s private sector engaging internationally since the Taliban
takeover in 2021.
