Afghanistan, Türkiye launch oilseed farming project in Kandahar
Sunflower cultivation aims to replace banned crops, lead to sustainable edible oil production
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — A new agricultural project has been launched in southern Afghanistan to cultivate oilseed crops on 550 acres of land in Kandahar province, in a bid to enhance local edible oil production and reduce dependency on imports.
This is the first time such an initiative is being implemented in the region, following a collaborative study by Afghan and Turkish agricultural experts. The project focuses on crops like sunflowers, known for their high oil content, exceeding 50 percent.
Independent broadcaster TOLONews reported that officials expect the initiative to support the livelihoods of farmers while contributing to the country’s goal of agricultural self-reliance.
Sadr e Azam Osmani, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock in Kandahar, said, “I assure you that the Islamic Emirate and the Ministry are committed to strengthening Afghanistan’s agricultural sector and making it fully self-reliant.”
The project is being implemented in partnership with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which has provided technical and seed support. Fazil Akin Erdogan, TIKA’s representative in Kandahar, said positive results from the Turkish-imported seeds are expected soon.
“In the second phase, we plan to start local oil production in Kandahar based on the yield from this cultivation,” he added.
Farmers in the region, many of whom previously relied on cultivating poppy and other narcotic crops now banned by the Taliban-led government, have welcomed the initiative but are calling for more support.
They are urging authorities and international aid agencies to provide improved seeds, fertilizers, and help in accessing domestic and export markets.
“The government has banned poppy cultivation, so we’ve switched to alternative crops,” said Mohammad Dawood, a farmer in Kandahar’s Panjwayi district. “But we need help with seeds and finding buyers for our products.”
Another farmer, Dawood Shah, stressed the urgent need for improved irrigation infrastructure. “Without support, we won’t get good harvests,” he said.
The project, which has received a $150,000 investment, also aims to distribute oilseed crops to other provinces for expansion, signaling a broader national push toward crop diversification and food security.
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