MAIL has signed agreements with 20 private firms to provide the ministry with 100,000 chickens for distribution in 20 districts of the country.

According to Afghanistan Times, acting Minister of MAIL, Salim Kunduzi, said that chicken distribution will 20 districts of 10 provinces where 50 families in every each district will get chickens, feed and tools.

He said that the project cost around 170 million Afghani (AFN; around US$3 million) and that the World Bank will support the programme; the project would be implemented within 18 months and each family receive 100 chickens including 400kg feed for the chickens and sanitary items.

The chicken distribution drive is being run under umbrella of National Horticulture and Livestock Project (NHLP) with financial support of World Bank.

Mr Kunduzi pointed out that the purpose of the NHLP is to promote livelihood means for poor families.

He said that by implementing the programme, the beneficiaries will earn AFN8,000 (around $140) per month from selling poultry.

Mr Kunduzi added the programme will cover the provinces of Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Balkh, Kunduz, Takhar, Samangan, Ningarhar, Kunar and Herat.

He vowed soon they will extend the programme to another 19 provinces.

National Horticulture and Livestock Project started in 2009 in 23 districts of 13 provinces and distributed chickens among around 30,000 needy families to strengthen their economy.

During the last six years, around 111 million eggs and 938 tons of poultry meet have been produced by the NHLP. The programme also produced job opportunities for more than 2,000 trainers.

The poor women who received the livestock packages commended the poultry project and said that, by growing poultry, they can better support their families by selling the products, added the Afghanistan Times report.