Afghanistan's finance minister says the economy will easily survive the departure of international forces next year. His optimism is based on reports that the country has huge reserves of natural resources - mostly copper.

The US estimates that Afghanistan could be sitting on deposits worth $1 trillion. That includes gold, iron ore, uranium and precious stones, including emeralds.

But for now, agriculture remains Afghanistan's biggest export earner with fruit and nuts, tobacco and wool topping the list.

Al Jazeera's Jennifer Glasse reports from Kabul province.