A fish vendor waits for customers at a fish market in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 11, 2026. Plans are in place to build an additional 7,700 fish farms across Afghanistan, according to the office of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Plans are in place to build an additional 7,700 fish farms across Afghanistan, according to the office of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs.

The move aligns with the country's broader national strategies aimed at diversifying the economy beyond traditional agriculture and promoting sustainable development.

The office said that 4,670 fish farms are operating in key provinces, with the country's fish farming industry employing around 12,000 individuals.

These operations have an annual production capacity of 13,000 metric tons and are backed by investments amounting to around 12 billion afghanis (over 190 million U.S. dollars), the office noted. ■

Fish vendors wait for customers at a fish market in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 11, 2026. Plans are in place to build an additional 7,700 fish farms across Afghanistan, according to the office of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)