The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is set to hold a major conference in Kabul in the next two days with the aim of attracting investment in the country’s agriculture sector.

UNAMA officials, representatives of international organizations, private sector representatives, sectoral ministries and bank representatives are expected to participate in the meeting.

“In the next two days, a conference will be held to strengthen the agriculture sector, in which representatives of the private sector will be present. The goal is to strengthen Afghanistan’s agricultural system,” Misbahuddin Mustain, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, said.

The deputy of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment also said that in order to raise the potential and mechanize the country’s agriculture, it is necessary for international organizations to help Afghanistan.

“In our country, there is a high potential for the development of the agriculture sector, and likewise, such conferences can encourage the private sector to invest in agriculture, livestock, farming and horticulture,” Khairuddin Mayel, the deputy of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said.

Economic experts also believe that 80 percent of the country’s population are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, and nearly 60 percent of the country’s population get their income from agricultural products, and with the mechanization of the country’s agriculture, the country’s economy will grow.

“With such conferences by UNAMA to support the agriculture sector, investment in the agriculture sector will increase. It is hoped that the Ministry of Agriculture and the sectoral institutions will make maximum use of such meetings,” Shabir Bashiri, an economic expert, said.

IEA officials have repeatedly called on the international community to support Afghan farmers who used to cultivate poppy with alternative crops.