Afghanistan Vouchers for Increased Production in Agriculture – Plus (AVIPA Plus)

Provinces	Hilmand, Kandahar
Program	Agriculture (Accelerating market-led growth in agriculture)
Dates	September 2009 - August 2010
Partner	International Relief and Development, Inc. (IRD)
Website

Afghanistan Vouchers for Increased Production in Agriculture (AVIPA) Plus is an expansion of USAID’s successful wheat seed voucher program.  AVIPA Plus will provide counter-insurgency stability programming in Hilmand and Kandahar within an agricultural framework.  Adjacent southern provinces will be assisted as required. AVIPA will directly employ over 500 Afghans and will capitalize on its close working relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock’s (MAIL) national, provincial, and district authorities, and continue using private sector Afghan business distribution networks.

The project will be implemented by an Afghan-led decision-making body consisting of the governor’s office, MAIL, U.S. Government Provincial Reconstruction Team representatives, and International Relief & Development (IRD), in consultation with community development councils, tribal leaders, and other provincial departments.

Activities include:

• Agricultural inputs – Providing subsidized fruit and nut tree saplings, wheat seed, and other agricultural inputs to farmers through an equitable voucher system.
• Cash-for-work projects – Offering temporary employment and income to local laborers, particularly young men, through short-term public works projects.
• Grants – Awarding small grants to agribusinesses and community-based associations in support of the agricultural economy.

All Agriculture activities