The European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have launched a $5.7 million initiative in Afghanistan to help farmers reach markets, strengthen agribusinesses and withstand climate and economic shocks.
The initiative will target vulnerable households, including returnees, internally displaced people and host communities in districts facing food and nutrition insecurity, climate risks and limited economic opportunities.
According to FAO, women and young people will be among those particularly targeted by the programme.
Four one-stop service hubs will be established to connect farmers and rural entrepreneurs with agricultural advice, specialised services, agribusinesses and markets.
The hubs will also give farmers access to FAO climate analysis and early-warning information to help them make production and marketing decisions.
Nicola Bellomo, the European Union’s new Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, said the funding reflected the bloc’s continued support for Afghans.
“The European Union’s contribution to FAO demonstrates our continued commitment to food security and economic empowerment of the Afghan people,” Bellomo said.
He said Afghanistan’s agricultural sector continued to face climate-related challenges.
“Afghanistan’s agricultural potential remains undervalued and constrained by the country’s extreme climate vulnerability,” Bellomo added.
The initiative will restore 2,000 hectares, or 20 square kilometres, of degraded forests and rangelands and support 250 women- and community-led nurseries, according to FAO.
The UN organisation will also provide matching grants and technical and business advice to selected agrifood and environmentally sustainable enterprises. Businesses will contribute their own resources alongside project funding.
Richard Trenchard, the FAO Representative in Afghanistan, said agrifood businesses had shown potential to expand despite difficult conditions.
“As we pivot away from largely humanitarian programmes towards more sustainable approaches, Afghanistan’s agrifood businesses have demonstrated real potential to grow, create jobs and connect farmers to markets, even in a highly challenging environment,” Trenchard said.
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