Agriculture Development Livelihoods WVI- Afghanistan 31- March 2012 WVI- Afghanistan 31- March 2012

Organization Overview World Vision - Child focused International NGO with presence in more than 70 Countries Working in Afghanistan since 2002 Implementing Projects in Western Afghanistan – Badghis, Herat, Ghor 250 Staff Headquartered in Herat (Kabul Office opening 2012) FY12 – 14 Afghanistan Strategy Responding to the urgent needs of children, our focus is: Maternal and child health and nutrition Education Livelihoods enabling families to feed their children World Vision Afghanistan

Livelihoods one the three main strategic sectors. World Vision has been working in this sector for almost 10 years primarily in Badghis Province; and primarily in agriculture. World Vision strategy is complimenting the long term government strategy for this area to enhance the capacity of communities and local government in sustainable livelihoods. What does this mean for agriculture programming? All agriculture projects will fully consider sustainability issues (i.e. land conservation, training of young farmers). Community members will play a key role in project design and monitoring. Agriculture projects will primarily use value-chain analysis to ensure that they holistically meet community needs (i.e. interventions will be designed from production to processing steps). Livelihoods /Agriculture

Current Agriculture Related Projects in Badghis Introducing Soya beans to Badghis Bee-keeping in Badghis Poultry Raising in Badghis Saffron pilot project Improved varieties of livestock for Badghis Badghis Sustainable Livelihoods Projects

Focus Project ‘Plant Nurseries to Develop Agricultural Practices’ Project Goal: Sustainable Livelihoods Restored for Vulnerable Households in Badghis Province Project Outcomes: Improved Food Security Improved Land & Environmental Management ‘Plant Nurseries to Develop Agricultural Practices’ Project Goal: Sustainable Livelihoods Restored for Vulnerable Households in Badghis Province Project Outcomes: Improved Food Security Improved Land & Environmental Management

Project Assessment Findings Insecure livelihoods, reliant on single source of income means that farmers are vulnerable to economic shocks Low levels of understanding about environmental conservation/preservation resulting in mass deforestation of pistachio jungle and annual soil erosion from flash flooding High levels of immigration due to previous insecurity resulted in young farmers lack of knowledge regarding agricultural techniques.

Major Project Activities in Response to Assessment

Project Results

Lessons Learnt Introduction of fruit saplings and other vegetables helped the community to have a better diet which in turn helps address nutritional issues Projects need to be designed with consultation of the communities and reviewed on annual basis. Capacity building of GoA staff helps in sustainability of project Livelihood projects strengthen community resiliency Engage the farmers in more practical trainings rather than more than theoretical Proper study of the area, before proposing the new crops Conducting baseline and LCP assessments at the outset of the program is very crucial particularly when women are primary stakeholders Well thought out and managed projects more sustainab than food aid distributions Introduction of fruit saplings and other vegetables helped the community to have a better diet which in turn helps address nutritional issues Projects need to be designed with consultation of the communities and reviewed on annual basis. Capacity building of GoA staff helps in sustainability of project Livelihood projects strengthen community resiliency Engage the farmers in more practical trainings rather than more than theoretical Proper study of the area, before proposing the new crops Conducting baseline and LCP assessments at the outset of the program is very crucial particularly when women are primary stakeholders Well thought out and managed projects more sustainab than food aid distributions

Thank you Questions?