The economy of Khost Province is primarily based on agriculture.  The majority of residents earn their livelihoods cultivating grain crops and raising herds of cattle and goats.  By providing support to farm areas, the Khost Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) is taking the lead in stabilizing the province’s economy.  Recently, DAIL partnered with the Provincial Reconstruction and Agriculture Development teams in Khost to provide veterinarian preventative care training to improve the health of livestock and build storage houses to protect grain crops from inclement weather.  In support of DAIL’s outreach, USAID’s Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD) project transferred the title and care of office property and equipment to DAIL.  The LGCD project is scheduled to end in April, and the transfer of equipment was part of the Khost provincial office’s shutdown.  The office closed its doors on February 28.  The transferred items included computers and office and guesthouse furniture.  The items will assist DAIL in managing ongoing agricultural development activities and plan new initiatives, increasing DAIL’s capacity to provide targeted services to foster Khost’s agricultural and economic development.

USAID/Afghanistan Program Highlights: 2/16/2011-2/28/2011