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 Since February 2004 IFDC has been
participating as a subcontractor in the RAMP project that aims to
restore food security in devastated Afghanistan by increasing
agricultural productivity and output and by improving linkages among
producers, processors, and markets. IFDC is working to develop the
agricultural input market system. This project, under the direction of
Dr. Gerald W. Turnbull, Chief of Party, was later expanded to include a
divestment study of the Afghan Fertilizer Company. In spite of
challenging security since March 2004, the project has achieved
significant results to date including:
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Conducted 39
training programs for 1,332 agricultural inputs dealers and 489
extension service and NGO staff in 20 provinces.
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Commenced dialogue
between the input dealers and the Minister of Agriculture, Animal
Husbandry, and Food regarding policy recommendations to enhance
operations of the private sector.
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Produced and
distributed several hundred area crop charts on wheat technology and
fertilizer recommendation booklets in Dari and Pashto.
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Facilitated credit
for agricultural input dealers from RAMP credit projects and NGO
projects.
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Established a
database of 1,640 dealers throughout 34 provinces.
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Established a simple
MIS on agricultural input and commodity prices.
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Conducted a study on
divestment alternatives for the state-owned Afghan Fertilizer
Company.
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Assisted with the
establishment of the first agricultural input dealer association in
Afghanistan.
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Linked agricultural
dealers with international suppliers.
The activities of the AIDTDP project
have increased the usage of high-quality fertilizers in several
provinces. Furthermore, the training programs have enabled the dealers
to work directly with the farmers and explain why price is not the only
criteria when selecting a fertilizer. The activities of the project have
linked remote retailers with importers to improve both the quality and
quantity of fertilizer available to the farmers of Afghanistan. Improved
business linkages in the marketing system have also resulted in a
positive impact on the timeliness of fertilizer supply availability. The
project is playing a key role in developing the dealers of Afghanistan
to act as a single group and to have a voice in their future.
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Agribusiness --->
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