KABUL, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan has inaugurated around 150 cold storage facilities across the country over the past year, local media outlet TOLOnews reported Friday.

The facilities, with capacities ranging from 300 to 2,000 tons, currently meet only 20 percent of the nation's demand, underscoring the urgent need for additional storage to preserve agricultural products and reduce post-harvest losses, the report said.

To support the sector's growth, the Afghan government has introduced a five-year tax exemption for investors in cold storage projects. The measure is expected to attract more investment and strengthen private-sector participation in the country's agricultural infrastructure, the report added.

The shortage of cold storage facilities has been a major factor contributing to the spoilage of agricultural products and the sale of produce at lower prices in local markets, making the expansion a critical step toward enhancing food security in Afghanistan. ■