|
|
  |
|
 |
|
Agriculture
forms the largest sector of the Afghan economy and is the
source of livelihood for over 85% of the population. A large
segment of the Afghan population now depends on food imported
from abroad or distributed by the aid community.
-
Over 65% of the labor force is employed on the land, mainly
cultivating small holdings or herding sheep, cattle and
goats.
- 12%
of the total land area is cultivated, 10% is pasture, and
5-6% is considered to have agricultural potential.
- Of
a total of 22,000 farming villages, over 12,000 have been
abandoned or destroyed.
- Afghanistan's
grain production has fallen by more that 50%.
- Essential
irrigation systems have been extensively damaged or completely
destroyed.
- 800
sq. km. of land is uncultivable due to the contamination
of landmines
The
total import requirement for the period of June 1998 to July
1999 was estimated by FAO at 740,000 tons, of which an estimated
140,000 tons was wheat.
Livestock
forms a main source of the household economy in rural areas.
Many families sell livestock to purchase wheat during the
spring months when reserves are low but due to the ongoing
drought, both grains and livestock herds have been severely
depleted.
|
|
 |
|
US-ARC
will work to rebuild the farming capacity of the community.
Removal of landmines and soil detoxification must be a national
priority.
-
US-ARC will introduce irrigation techniques and support
the restoration of the irrigation system to provide essential
water to crops and livestock.
- A
livestock inventory will be undertaken and a plan devised
to increase their numbers.
- Domestic
wheat and seed varieties will be provided to the farmers
for the spring and winter planting seasons.
- More
efficient and diversified crop and livestock production
will be promoted, as will horticultural production appropriate
to the local environment.
- US-ARC
will support farmers with the appropriate tools, machinery,
fertilizer and vaccines (for livestock) to increase production.
- We
will work with the farmers on issues relating to river basin
and watershed management, soil and water conservation, forestry,
pasture management, and groundwater recharge management.
- Insect
management will be re-established for crop-damaging insects,
especially for the locusts that devour crops in the spring.
|
|
 |
| When
designing agriculture projects, US-ARC will seek the collaboration
of local farmers, and establish partnerships with other non-governmental
organizations that have successful track records in this area.
US-ARC will work towards community participation at each phase
of the project from area elders to producers and merchants.
We will promote activities and enterprises that involve rural
women in sustainable small livestock production and farming.
We will work with farmers to improve their access to agricultural
markets both locally and nationally. We will introduce cooperative
farming approaches to encourage farmers to use the land more
efficiently to produce more agricultural and livestock products
thereby strengthening the community's farming capacity. |
|
|
Projects 