News - Afghanistan

The US Assistance for International Development (USAID) will fund $65m towards agriculture and research in Afghanistan, Agriculture Minister said Saturday.

The money will fund agriculture "promotion" in nearly 50 districts of 16 provinces all over the country as well as on the rehabilitation of seven research farms in Kabul, Kandahar, Herat and Balkh provinces.

Up to $40m of the funds will be allocated via the Afghan government's budget and the rest will be spent on technical phases by USAID, Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Minister Mohammad Asef Rahimi said Saturday.

Head of USAID mission in Afghanistan Ken Yamashita said that his office supports the government of Afghanistan and confirmed the $40m allocation to the government.

"Our plans are in line with the government plans and programmes and will be funded through the government," Yamashita said.

The Ministry of Agriculture said that to implement its plans and projects, it will need over $3 billion by 2017 which it expects to ask for from the donor agencies.