Brief History;

Afghanistan is located in the heart of Asia and is recognized as a landlocked, mountainous, and agricultural country. The production of wheat and other grains has long constituted an important part of the country's economy and the livelihood of its people. Afghanistan has historically enjoyed a notable reputation in the agricultural sector. For this reason, during the reign of Kanishka the Great, Emperor of Ariana, warehouses and storage facilities were established within mountains and caves for the preservation and storage of grain production. Afghan kings and rulers in subsequent periods also followed this practice and continuously maintained strategic reserves to meet the country's essential needs.

Although many grain production and storage centers were destroyed throughout history due to wars and various upheavals, special attention was given to agricultural development and the reconstruction of grain warehouses and reserves during the reign of Ahmad Shah Baba. In later periods, alongside administrative and economic reforms, the system of grain collection, procurement, and storage was further expanded, and new stone and masonry warehouses were constructed in major agricultural production areas.

Following the Second World War and in response to the country's growing needs, the Government of Afghanistan established the first specialized institution for the procurement, storage, and distribution of grain in 1937 (1316 Solar Hijri) under the title of the “Grain Procurement Administration.” This institution was responsible for procuring wheat, rice, and edible oil from domestic sources, as well as importing tea and sugar from foreign markets. Distribution of these commodities to government institutions was carried out according to official requests and directives from relevant authorities.

In 1953 (1332 Solar Hijri), the Public Welfare Council renamed the “General Grain Distribution Administration” as the “State Directorate of Food Supply Procurement,” which officially commenced its activities in 1954 (1333 Solar Hijri). Within a short period, the institution experienced significant growth and played an effective role in meeting the country's food supply requirements.

In 1964 (1343 Solar Hijri), the Directorate of Food Supply Procurement was reorganized as the “Administrative Unit of Food Supply and Public Needs,” and in 1967 (1346 Solar Hijri) it began operating under the title “Da Afghanistan Arzaqo Moassasa (Afghanistan Food Supply Organization).” As the institution rapidly expanded, provincial offices of the General Directorate of Food Supply were established throughout the country and became operational in 1970 (1349 Solar Hijri).

In 1968 (1347 Solar Hijri), the distribution of basic commodities through a coupon-book system was introduced on a pilot basis for civil servants in Kabul. In 1975 (1354 Solar Hijri), the program was extended to the provinces. The activities of the Food Supply Enterprise were based on two principal sectors: commercial operations and public services. Through the procurement and supply of essential commodities from domestic and international sources, the institution provided extensive services to meet the needs of society, government entities, and citizens across the country.

With the enforcement of the State-Owned Enterprises Law, the Arzaq Enterprise was transformed into the “State-Owned Corporation of Arzaq” acquiring an independent legal status. Subsequently, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 28 dated 15/11/1398 (Solar Hijri), the National Development Corporation (NDC) was established, and the State-Owned Corporation of Arzaq was integrated into its organizational structure, continuing its activities under the corporation's umbrella.

Later, pursuant to Directive No. 4988 dated 18/11/1399 (Solar Hijri), the re-establishment of an independent State-Owned Corporation of Arzaq was approved, and the company's Articles of Association were legally processed through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice.

In 2021 (1400 Solar Hijri), through the efforts of the leadership of the State-Owned Corporation of Arzaq and in cooperation with the Policy and Strategy Office of the then government, the company successfully obtained contracts from the National Procurement Commission for the supply of food commodities to dormitories of public universities in both central and provincial regions and commenced implementation accordingly.

During the fiscal year 2022 (1401 Solar Hijri), following the political changes in the country, the State-Owned Corporation of Arzaq signed multiple contracts with the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, and other government institutions requiring food supplies. In the same year, the project for supplying food commodities to public university dormitories nationwide, with a total value exceeding one billion Afghanis, was awarded to the company through formal contracts. Furthermore, from the second half of 2022 onward, the company successfully implemented the Ministry of Interior Affairs' nationwide project for the supply of dry food items and legumes, valued at approximately two billion Afghanis.

Since the beginning of 2023 (1402 Solar Hijri) to the present, the State-Owned Corporation of Arzaq has been responsible for supplying and delivering food assistance projects for the Ministries of Higher Education, Education, Labor and Social Affairs, and Public Health across the country. The implementation of these projects continues uninterrupted to this day.