New Wheat Processing Plant Begins Operations in Balkh

A new wheat processing plant has started operations in Afghanistan’s Balkh province. Officials at the plant say it was built with an investment of about $2 million and has the capacity to produce 280 tonnes of wheat in 24 hours.

According to the plant’s officials, jobs have so far been created for 100 workers. They added that the number of employees will rise as production capacity increases.

The Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Industries says there are now 48 wheat processing plants operating in the province. The body says expanding domestic production could reduce dependence on imports.

Officials also said strengthening local production, alongside helping the country’s economic growth, could play a role in reducing unemployment. Balkh is one of the key provinces in northern Afghanistan, and its capital, Mazar-i-Sharif, is considered one of the country’s commercial and industrial hubs.