A businessman, who has spent $1 million on a camel farm in Kunduz province, plans to increase his herd of 500 to 2,000.
The farm owner says he started his farm 10 years ago by bringing in camels from Turkey, Iran and Pakistan.
He farms the animals for camel wrestling, milk and meat and exports to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, he said.
The farm is located in a forest in Imam Sahib district near the border with Tajikistan.
“Turkey buys mostly wrestling camels. Saudi Arabia buys milking camels. Meat camels have also become popular among the people of Mazar and Kabul. Its meat is very beneficial,” said Fahim Rahimi, the manager of the camel farm.
Local officials emphasize that the conditions for keeping animals in the forests of Kunduz are favorable and urge investors to invest in livestock.
“This is the only farm in Afghanistan where so many camels are kept. We promise to cooperate with them if they have any problem,” said Najibullah Hassan, head of livestock and animal health of the Kunduz Department of Agriculture.
Local officials also say that they would help in getting a license for breeding and in finding facilities.
