Project Districts Meeting Community Leaders Providing Inputs Completed Orchard Plantaion Technical Assistance to Farmers

 

Partner - DAI, Alternative Livelihoods Program

Project Dates - 27 September 2005 – July 2008 

Location - Nangarhar/Laghman Province

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Spring Update

The International Foundation of Hope (IFHope) is implimenting a two-phase integrated perennial horticultural development project in the Eastern Region of Afghanistan including Nangarhar, Laghman and potentially parts of Kunar and Nuristan Provinces.  The program will span three years with the overriding aim to develop and establish coherent regional production levels of quality perennial fruits and nuts, linked to solid domestic markets.

 The main goals of the project are to:

• Establish 7,500 acres of perennial fruit and nut orchards, providing a viable alternative livelihood for up to 5,000 farmers.

• Train farmers and extension workers through a technical assistance program.

• Build an extension network and establish an “Innovative Growers Network” to highlight best practices and facilitate technology transfer.

• Establish four demonstration farms (at least one per province) including 8 hectares of drip irrigation.

• Assist in the formation of grower-based, market-oriented growers associations.

• Establish one nursery at or near each demonstration orchard.

• Begin the re-establishment / consolidation of perennial horticulture value chains in the Eastern Region.

In light of the three to four year establishment period for orchard crops, the design of this program is split into two phases.  Phase One will begin the program, establish the bulk of the production and initiate core technical activities. Phase Two will expand the production area and phase in technical assistance in post harvest handling, marketing and value added processing options.

Figure above: Farmers will carry a loss through the first three years of orchard establishment.  To cover this loss seeds and technical assistance will be provided for high value vegetable crops to be used as intercrops while the orchards mature.  By the fourth year farmers will be able to cover their input expenses from crop revenue.  By the fifth year they will cover all orchard expenses including labor and land.  By the sixth year they should be in full production and show an average annual return to labor and land of over $3,000 per hectare.  For the project as a whole this translates into a combined net income of over $9,000,000 annually.