KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban said on Wednesday that their Economic Commission has approved the construction of six agricultural complexes across four provinces.
In a statement, Taliban’s economic commission said the new complexes — described as agricultural, demonstration, and extension centers — will span more than 2,213 acres in Herat, Helmand, Nangarhar, and Balkh provinces. The plan is part of the group’s broader effort to increase domestic food production and reduce reliance on imports.
The commission also endorsed a new “self-sufficiency policy” for poultry farming, which Taliban officials said could create indirect employment opportunities for up to 300,000 people, though no timeline or funding details were provided.
In the initial phase of the plan, approximately 289,000 hectares of farmland will be allocated for the cultivation of oilseed crops, including cotton, soybeans, sesame, flaxseed, camelina, and sunflowers. Taliban authorities say the goal is to meet at least 30 percent of the country’s domestic vegetable oil demand.
The announcement comes as Afghanistan faces a prolonged economic downturn marked by high unemployment, a collapsed banking system, and declining international aid following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
While the Taliban have repeatedly promoted self-reliance as a policy goal, analysts say the absence of foreign investment, international recognition, and technical oversight may limit the effectiveness of such agricultural initiatives.
