KABUL: For helped the poor families and fulfill their food necessities the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) tends to run chicken distribution among around 1000 poor families in ten provinces of the country in order to improve their livelihood.
MAIL signed separate agreements with 20 private firms to provide the ministry with the 0.1 million chickens for distribution in 20 districts of the country here the other day.
Acting Minister of MAIL, Salim Kunduzi, said that chicken distribution will 20 districts of ten provinces where 50 families in every each district will get chickens, feed, and sanitation tools.
He said that the project cost around 170 million Afghani whereas the World Bank will support the program; the project would be implemented within 18 months and each family receive 100 chickens including 400 kill grams of seed for chickens, and sanitary items.
The chicken distribution drive is being run under umbrella of National Horticulture and Livestock Project (NHLP) with financial support of World Bank.
Kunduzi pointed out that the purpose of the NHLP is to promote livelihood means for poor families. He said that by implementation of this program the beneficiaries will earn 8000 Afghanis per month from selling poultry. Kunduzi added the program will cover the provinces of Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Balkh, Kunduz, Takhar, Samangan, Ningarhar, Kunar, and Herat.
He vowed soon they will extend the program to another 19 provinces.
National Horticulture and Livestock Project started in 2009 in 23 districts of 13 provinces and distributed chickens among around 30,000 needy families to strengthen their economy.
During the last six years around 111 million eggs and 938 ton poultry meet have been produced by implementation of NHLP in the mentioned provinces. The program produced job opportunities for more than 2000 trainers.
The needy women, who received the livestock packages, commended the poultry project and said by growing poultry farm in their homes they can support their families through selling of its productions.