PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Marie K. Thompson
DATE: June 18, 2002
Afghanistan
Farmers and Fertilizer Dealers Profit from IFDC’s Project in Their
Country
Kabul,
Afghanistan — Afghan farmer, Abdul Khaliq, has already
benefited from the IFDC project in his country. When farmer Khaliq
received fertilizer to use on his wheat crop in May, he said,
"I hope this program continues so that Afghanistan can become
agriculturally strong and independent."
Ensuring adequate
supplies of good quality fertilizers to Afghan farmers is the
foremost objective of IFDC’s project, being funded by the
U.S.Agency for International Development (USAID).
To avoid disrupting the
market, IFDC chose to allow local dealers to distribute the
fertilizers. More than 60,000 Afghan farmers who previously received
improved variety wheat seed from the International Center for
Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) received fertilizer
vouchers through nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The NGOs
included International Medical Corps (IMC), Agence d’Aide a la
Cooperation Technique et au Developpement (ACTED), FOCUS
Humanitarian Assistance, Ghazni Rural Support Programme (GRSP), and
Solidarites. The farmers then exchanged the vouchers for fertilizer
at the local fertilizer dealers, who were reimbursed by IFDC. The
urea fertilizer was imported mainly from Pakistan, as well as Iran
and Uzbekistan. Supplies were also available from the only
fertilizer plant in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. M. Feisal Beig,
IFDC Senior Marketing Specialist, says, "The dealers make money
through this system, which encourages them to obtain more
fertilizers to supply to the farmers."
The project is
handling the emergency distribution of 3,500 mt of urea fertilizer
for the top-dressing of spring wheat sown in March and April.
"The fertilizer was distributed in seven provinces in central,
eastern, and northeastern Afghanistan—Ghazni, Kapisa, Wardak,
Parwan, Takhar, Badakshan, and Uruzgan," says Ross Everson,
Chief of Party, IFDC/Afghanistan.
Farmers who
received a 50-kg bag of urea will pay for the fertilizer within a
month after harvest to the local shura or town committee, who will
use the funds for local development projects. Technical leaflets
explaining in local languages how to properly use the fertilizer as
a top dressing for spring wheat were prepared and distributed along
with the fertilizer.
Afghan farmers were
very pleased to receive the fertilizer to help them increase their
wheat yields. In May alone more than 3,000 mt or 60,000 bags were
distributed to the farmers. IFDC staff visited the farmers’ fields
to observe the use of this material on the wheat that had been sown
in March and April. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture and
Livestock, the five NGOs, and IFDC closely coordinated the
entire process.
Agriculture is
Afghanistan’s mainstay. Beig says that if Afghanistan can improve
the national security environment, positive economic results will be
visible in six to eighteen months. Economic activities have improved
since the conflict. "You can feel it in the air," says
Beig. In the times before Soviet occupation, Afghanistan was fully
self-sufficient and produced enough food for all of its citizens.
The country was known for its fruits, which it exported to
neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Uzbekistan. At the
moment, however, Afghan farmers have to grow wheat to feed their
families. However, IFDC’s program strengthens the agricultural
market and makes future growth possible. "It will be a slow
process but it can be done," says Beig. The current average
yield for wheat worldwide is three tons of wheat per hectare
planted. In Afghanistan, the average yield is far less at one ton
per hectare. This difference is attributed to the improper and
inadequate use of fertilizer, crop protection products, and improved
seeds – the building blocks of high-yielding agriculture.
IFDC evaluated
Afghanistan’s situation and concluded that the country has to
overcome three main challenges. According to Beig, the first problem
is the lack of credit extended to farmers. "The farmers don’t
have money and they need support during the growing season. They
need credit immediately." The enormous distances between
farmers, suppliers, and markets create the second problem. "It
is very difficult to move supplies," says Beig. For one acre of
land, for example, two or three 50-kg bags of fertilizer are needed.
"Fertilizers are very bulky and must be transported on trucks.
The roads, however, are in bad condition, especially in areas
primarily used for farming." The third challenge is to overcome
the current lack of knowledge regarding modern agricultural
practices. "For example," explains Beig, "the farmers
do not know how to apply the fertilizer." IFDC’s plan is to
not only provide hands-on training to some farmers but to get the
local dealers involved in training and informing their customers.
The IFDC project
should benefit farmers, dealers, and most importantly consumers by
providing the country with more food and support to stabilize the
agricultural market. Agriculture is Afghanistan’s only path to
economic advancement. IFDC is providing its experience, expertise,
and support to help ensure that the dream of a better quality of
life for the people of Afghanistan becomes a reality.
Return
to What's New?
|
