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Credibility Assessment
Cites multiple named sources with direct knowledge, including factory manager Abdul Nasser Adel, department spokesperson Mohammad Hanif Haqmal, chamber head Abdul Ahad Sadiqi, and farmers Sher Ali and Saminullah, providing specific details on production capacity, investments, harvest figures, and export destinations.
Officials state that the operations of this private pomegranate processing facility will prevent the wastage of pomegranates and create opportunities for the standard export of pomegranate juice and seeds to international markets. The facility will have the capacity to process juice and seeds from up to 10 tons of pomegranates each day.
The factory manager, Abdul Nasser Adel, said: "We have made the initial investment here of two million afghanis, but this investment will reach fifty million afghanis, and with this, standard services will be provided in the pomegranate juice and seed sector, and job opportunities will be created for many people."
The spokesperson for the Kandahar Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department, Mohammad Hanif Haqmal, said: "This year in Kandahar, 274 thousand metric tons of pomegranates were harvested, some of which are wasted, but if such facilities exist, pomegranate wastage will be reduced and farmers will gain more benefits."
Officials from the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment indicate that despite transit issues with neighboring countries, they have managed to export pomegranates to Russia, Kazakhstan, and other nations.
The head of Kandahar Commerce and Investment, Abdul Ahad Sadiqi, said: "This will be the last year of problems for pomegranate orchard owners, because this year our pomegranates were exported to Russia, as well as Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, and our exports to other countries are also in the process of expansion."
Pomegranate farmers view the establishment of pomegranate processing facilities within the country as an important step toward their economic empowerment. Farmer Sher Ali said: "Due to road closures, our concerns had increased, but the establishment of such a center will reduce our problems; it is a good opportunity and should be expanded."
Farmer Saminullah said: "The establishment of pomegranate processing facilities is the best achievement for us, because our pomegranates will no longer be wasted."
Kandahar pomegranates, which enjoy international recognition, have their largest orchards in the Arghandab, Zhirey, and Arghistan districts of the province.
