The government of Afghanistan on Saturday approved Afs89.9 billion (over $1.1 billion) as part of a financial package to fight the coronavirus, with Afs30 billion ($392 million) coming from the existing government budget, and the remaining Afs60 billion ($785 million) from international donors, according to Finance Ministry spokesperson Shamroz Khan Masjidi.
“With all these amendments, the (current) fiscal year’s budget increases to Afs449 billion ($5.88 billion) from Afs428 billion ($5.6 billion). These amendments will be sent to the parliament for approval,” Masjidi said.
Based on the amendments, Afs13.7 billion ($179 million) will be invested in agriculture by the Ministry of Agriculture to overcome the negative impacts of coronavirus in the agriculture sector.
Use of domestic products (dairy and agricultural products) by the security forces and hospitals, construction of 5,000 raisin storage facilities, and over 14,000 storage facilities for potatoes and onions, are part of the Agriculture Ministry’s plan to invest the allotted funds, according to officials from the ministry. The plan will create 60,000 permanent jobs within the next eight months, officials said.
According to this plan, the import of some goods, including fruit juice, will be banned, and up to 130 tons (metric) of fruit and vegetables will be processed in domestic factories.
“The implementation of the plan will prevent the waste of exportable products by 50 percent. As this plan should be implemented ahead of the harvest season, some urgent projects will begin in the center and other provinces from tomorrow (Monday),” the deputy minister of agriculture, irrigation and livestock, Hasmatullah Ghafoori, said.
But the traders union said the only way to mitigate damage to farmers is for Pakistan to lift the ban on Afghan exports.
“Little time remains before the harvest season. Farmers will not be able to earn the money they have invested (in their products), and a big crisis will happen if the situation continues,” said Akhtar Mohammad, head of the union for fruit and vegetable exporters.
