AFGHANISTAN A nation of challenges and hope

Strategic Location

1978 productivity Afghanistan in the 1970s Population: between 14 and 16 million. Were self sufficient in cereals and were approaching self-sufficiency in other agricultural products. Agriculture accounted for 85% of the domestic economy. Had a strong export market in horticultural products (40% of all export earnings with dry fruits alone worth about $178 million in 1979 dollars). Further agricultural diversification was taking place. Domestic production of fertilizers was taking place. Wheat area – 2,348,000 hectares Wheat yield (irrigated) – 2.0 MT/ha (rainfed)0.2– 0.6 MT/ha Maize area – 482,000 hectares Cattle – 5,000,000 heads Sheep/Goats – 27,000 heads MT/ha = metric ton / hectare

Soviet Invasion December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union, to support the failing Communist regime that they backed in a 1978 coup, invaded. Invasion’s Effects 10% die; Millions leave Afghanistan as refugees; 2 million more displaced inside Afghanistan; Soviets plant million landmines (becomes the most heavily mined nation in the world); 70% of the country destroyed; More than 50% of agriculture sector and most of the irrigation system destroyed; Around 1985, more than half of all farmers still in Afghanistan had their fields bombed, and over one quarter had their irrigation systems destroyed and their livestock shot.

Soviet Withdrawal February 15, 1989, Soviet troops withdraw from Afghanistan. Those who defeated the Soviets began to fight each other, the civil war began. Much of what was not destroyed by the Soviets was destroyed in this fighting. Landmines continued to be used – covering up to 96% of all the agricultural land in the 1990s, decreasing arable land and bringing productivity down. The population began to increase quickly during this time, straining resources more. Between , population growth was only 0.3%, but from 1990, it increased to 4.9%.

1998 productivity Afghanistan under the Taliban The Taliban began its reign of terror in Despite the problems with agriculture in the past years, the Taliban made no effort to improve the situation. They had no Minister, Chief, or even a department for agriculture. Therefore, during a large drought in 2000, this group had no system in place to deal with it, resulting in:  50% of the population being affected (3-4 million severely)  Up to 50% crop loss in some areas  Approximately 80% of Kuchi livestock being lost In 1999, only about 30% of total arable land and permanent crop land was irrigated. Cereal production, decreased by 50% between 1998 and By 1997, exports of dried fruit had decreased to US$300,000 & fresh fruit to US$6.2 million Malnutrition & hunger were common. Wheat area – 2,214,000 hectares Wheat yield (irrigated) – 1.61 MT/ha (rainfed)0.2–0.85 MT/ha Maize area – 200,000 hectares Cattle – 3,660,000 heads Sheep/Goats – 31,330 heads MT/ha = metric ton / hectare

Democratic Afghanistan In 2001, the Taliban regime was removed. Now, as peace and safety increases, more refugees return to Afghanistan, but they often do not return to their ancestral homes and instead move to Kabul, hoping to find jobs and more support. Others from rural areas are also moving to Kabul for economic reasons.

Challenges With a smaller ratio of farmers compared to the number of urban dwellers, more production is needed per person to feed the nation. Even with a higher ratio of farmers to consumers in the past, Afghanistan was not self-sufficient. Irrigation methods have been broken and those that remain are strained by the increased population. War has also damaged land and top soil is disappearing. The environment that is even less close to self- sustainable than before.

Good News Programs like this one exist to help improve productivity and to introduce new, more effective crops. Agriculture and Irrigation are two main priorities for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and efforts are lead through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Land (MAIL). We are having some success in getting drug growers to change to food crops, which helps to decrease the power of militants and to address food needs. Furthermore, certain cash crops can sell for much more than opium (Pomegranates - up to US$ 16,000 per hectare, Saffron - up to US$ 30,000 per hectare) Even with our challenges, agriculture still accounts for 80% of the domestic economy.

Actions taken this year Work to improve conditions, with the help of our international friends, is constant. Some highlights of work done in the first two quarters of this Afghan solar year through MAIL are:  the construction of  7 water intakes spanning 3000 meters and capable of irrigating 700 acres of land  (and cleaning of) 44,817 meters of canals capable of irrigating 30,509 acres;  228 irrigation systems including water intakes and water reservoirs;  the preparation of 30 tractors to the provincial Rural Rehabilitation and Development Departments to support rural communities. Work also continues in other areas to support agricultural activities such as:  Improving the efficiency of irrigation networks to limit wastewater;  Creating more water storage facilities;  Training farmers in new and established techniques;  Establishing farmer cooperatives.

Conclusions Investment in proper food production is an investment in the nation’s sustainability. But it is not enough to just grow food, we must also improve related infrastructure so we can move the crops to the people in a timely manner. With our land resources, man power, and water resources, if managed properly, our success can also be the success of the region and the world as we transition from dependency into a provider. As Minister Mohammad Asef Rahimi said during his visit to Japan in 2010, Japan is invited to play a larger role in developing this important sector.

Thank you! ありがとうございます, Thank you, Manana, Tashakor