KABUL: Afghan agribusiness Kanda Fruit is moving ahead with a partnership to establish Afghanistan’s first ISO/IEC 17025-accredited private food-safety and agricultural laboratory, aiming to give farmers and exporters locally available international-standard testing.
According to sources, the venture sits under Catholic Relief Services’ Pathways to Prosperity initiative, which uses catalytic co-funding to unlock private investment. The laboratory is intended as a national commercial platform for soil testing, pesticide-residue analysis and advisory services, expected to benefit about 2,500 producers and up to 250 commercial exporters in horticulture, spices and other high-value exports.
Kanda Fruit CEO Najibullah Mohmand said buyers demand proof that products such as Afghan pomegranates meet international food-safety standards, and pesticide-residue testing must currently be done abroad, adding cost and delay. An accredited laboratory at home could open higher-value markets for farmers.