Afghanistan Dairy Policy

The Afghanistan Dairy Policy is a national Policy aims to facilitate the access of people to dairy products and prevent the waste of surplus milk in rural areas. The Policy is based on the following principles: animal husbandry is the basis of rural economy in Afghanistan; most of the rural areas produce milk more than their needs which shall be sold in urban areas; enhancement of local animal husbandry system requires the modifications of livestock’s feeding and caring methods as well as increase the knowledge of stockbreeders. The main objectives of the Policy include: achieve the food security in the country; improve the economy of people in rural areas; improve the capacity of national dairy sector; increase the quality and quantity of marketable livestock products; develop processing and marketing methods for dairy products; deploy modern technologies for animal husbandry; develop and support cooperatives, unions, and private companies in the field; reduce the exportation of dairy products; make the better use of human and natural resources; make the sustainable use of soil, land, water, and energy; protect environment; increase public awareness. The Policy encourages the creation of cooperatives and investment of the private sector in the animal husbandry sector. The stockbreeders should be assisted and trained about livestock breeding, feeding, health, cattle management, and livestock’ products marketing. Increases in the number of animals, modification of the feeding system, cattle quality improvement, adjustment of breeding methods, promotion of financial system, and acceleration the transport of milk to the market are necessary measures which should be taken for raising the quality and quantity of milk products in the country. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock is the authority prepared this Policy and responsible for its implementation. The Ministry also is required to assist animal husbandry sector through the provision of technical and health services, provision of simple and usable technologies, improvement of the farming and animal husbandry systems in rural areas, cooling, storage, and transportation equipment.