Milk factory in Afghanistan - 20th January 2021

This factory, which makes milk products, is in the south of Afghanistan. The company is called Milko. It is owned by a man called Ghami Mia. Milko’s dairy products are popular in nearby towns.

But the land around the towns is controlled by the Taliban. This makes the area unsafe. Mia has to please the government and the Taliban. This isn’t easy and both sides tax Mia’s business. Sometimes, the government takes his milk products too.

Milko produces more than 300 dairy products, which include flavoured milk drinks and ice creams. These are very popular with local people.

The business owns around 250 cows, but this isn’t enough. Milko pays for more milk from nearby farmers. This income is good news for farmers.

The political situation in Afghanistan is difficult. Fighting between the Taliban and the government has got worse recently. Mia is afraid that Milko may have to shut. He worries about what will happen to the milk farmers if Milko closes.

Talks between the government and the Taliban are about to begin. People hope that these talks might make things better.