Agriculture

Objective: Accelerating market-led growth in agriculture

Overview Program Description Activities FAQs Photo Gallery

Overview

The purpose of USAID’s agriculture program is to improve food security, increase agricultural productivity and rural employment, and improve family incomes and well-being. Improved job opportunities and incomes also reduce pressures on the poor to grow opium poppy.

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Announcements

Kabul, Afghanistan | Thursday, October 15, 2009
Grand Opening of the Omaid Bahar Juice Concentrate Processing and Fresh Fruit Packaging Facility
Photo Gallery - October 15, 2009

Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan | Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Helping Afghans Monitor Endangered Species
Local forest rangers assess the populations of snow leopards and other rare animals.

Jalalabad, Afghanistan | Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Women-owned Greenhouses Thrive
Women owners of sustainable greenhouses receive training.

Kabul, Afghanistan | Saturday, August 15, 2009
Afghan Cherries, Apricots, and Melons Exported to India and UAE
In a two-week period, Afghan traders exported about $110,000 worth of fresh produce.

Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan | Friday, July 31, 2009
Loan Helps Support the Licit Agriculture Sector in Hilmand
Farmers will receive assistance with growing paprika, establishing orchards, and introducing new agricultural technology on their farms.

Bamyan, Afghanistan | Friday, July 31, 2009
Afghanistan Dedicates Band-e-Amir National Park
The dedication is the result of years of effort on behalf of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Chaharikar, Afghanistan | Friday, July 31, 2009
Solar Dryers Preserve Fruit and Raise Women’s Incomes
Women entrepreneurs in nine communities produce nutritious dried fruits and vegetables.

Press Releases

Band-e-Amir, Bamyan, Afghanistan | Thursday, June 18, 2009
افغانستان بند امیر را بحیث پارک ملی اهداء نمود

Band-e-Amir, Bamyan, Afghanistan | Thursday, June 18, 2009
Afghanistan Dedicates Band-e-Amir National Park

Kabul, Afghanistan | Wednesday, June 03, 2009
National Environmental Protection Agency Declares Afghanistan’s First Protected Species List

Kabul, Afghanistan | Saturday, May 23, 2009
Kabul International Fresh Fruit and Vegetable AgFair Attracts 50,000 Participants

Kabul, Afghanistan | Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Kabul AgFair Promotes Afghanistan’s Agricultural Bounty and International Trade

Kabul, Afghanistan | Wednesday, May 20, 2009
نمایشگاه زراعتی کابل جایزه زراعتی و تجارت بین المللی افغانستان را تقویه نمود

Kabul, Afghanistan | Thursday, May 14, 2009
USAID awards five-year $150 million alternative development program to reduce poppy production and promote licit agriculture

Kabul, Afghanistan | Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Afghanistan Establishes First National Park

Kabul, Afghanistan | Wednesday, April 22, 2009
تاسیس اولین پارک ملی افغانستان

Mazari Sharif, Afghanistan | Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Afghan Political Leaders Kick Off Mazari Sharif International AgFair and Cashmere Exhibition

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USAID’s agriculture program improves food security, increases agricultural productivity and rural employment, and improves family incomes and well-being.

Learn more about Afghanistan USAID activities by province

FY02-06 Ag Spending: $237 M
FY07 Ag Budget: $67 M
(incl. supplemental request)

Accomplishments

Total Agricultural Output

USD $643 million total increase in agricultural production, services and industries

Agriculture Infrastructure Improvements

580+ km of farm-to-market roads repaired
5,000+ km of irrigation canals rehabilitated
Water supply increased to over 494,000 hectares of land

Livestock Productivity

354,000+ chickens distributed (2003-2006)
600+ veterinary field units provided over 31 million vaccinations and treatments to livestock and poultry
28,000+ women trained in poultry management (2003-2006)
28 million+ livestock vaccinated/treated

Rural Finance Systems

Estimated USD $5.6 million total loans disbursed
28,000+ micro-finance loans disbursed: 75% of participants were women; $200 average loan
More than 500 women trained and provided with support to establish home-based businesses

Agro-Processing

50+ cold storage facilities installed (4,000-metric ton (MT) storage) (As of Aug. 2007)
Vegetable dehydration plant established in Parwan: Produced 44 MT of dried vegetable; Exported 23 MT
Kunduz flour mill established: Produces 120 tons/day; Employs 60 workers

Product Quality Testing and Certification

Aflotoxin and microbiological test kits provided to Ministry of Commerce laboratories

Ministry of Agriculture Support and Policy Reform

Revised legislation encourages private sector investment
Planning for rapid growth in jobs and income

Capacity Building & Agricultural Support Services

1,000,000+ farmers served by extension services

Last updated November 7, 2009

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