The U.S. Government is committed to creating economic opportunities for women, and building their skills so that they can support themselves and their families. Over the past few years, the USG has helped women throughout Afghanistan open greenhouses to grow vegetables and tree saplings to sell. In the eastern region of Afghanistan, 18 women-owned greenhouses are now self-sustainable, and are no longer receiving any financial assistance. However, the United States continues to support these women entrepreneurs through training and marketing assistance.
Recently, the USG provided training for 36 women greenhouse owners and employees on how to prepare growing media. Participants from 12 greenhouses in Laghman and Nangarhar learned how to prepare soil that will produce maximum yields in their greenhouses. This nutrient-rich soil will be used this fall during seedling planting, the sales from which will contribute to the continued sustainability of the greenhouses.