Transfer of Technology to Afghan Growers to alleviate poverty.1. Strategy and Approach for Technology Transfer 2. Project Components, Major Activates and Achievements a) Establishment of Protected Agriculture Center in Kabulb) Establishment of Green house Manufacturing Workshopc) Selection of Pilot Growers and establishment of production facilities at grower’s fields d) Capacity Building and Human Resources Development
To help Afghan farmers and speed-up rural development the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) developed a three years project for transferring the intensive production system (Protected Agriculture) for cash crops production to Afghan growers. The project which started on Jan 2004 was financially supported by United State Agency for International Development (USAID) through RAMP-Chemonics.
The intensive production system techniques have been successfully used by ICARDA in number of similar research and development projects especially in Yemen to help the poor growers and elevate poverty. The outcome of the project was promising and growers especially in Yemen mountain terraces showed great interest. The cost benefit analysis in Yemen revealed that the income from growing cucumber under protected agriculture can cover the initial costs for Greenhouse structure and materials in one season.
By considering the various climate and conditions of the target areas, ICARDA scientists made some adjustments to enhance the technology for better adoption in Afghanistan. This process was continue even during the project implementation phase based on growers’ feed back and adoptive research activities in Afghanistan.
1. Strategy and Approach for Technology Transfer top
The project promoted the adoption of affordable and sustainable protected agricultural systems to produce high value crops, using marginal or otherwise non-productive lands and water more efficiently, by establishing a central demonstration, training and technical backstopping site within Kabul and by installing simple greenhouse structures at selected pilot sites with participating farmers. Project was benefited by participatory approaches for transferring the technology such as Farmers Field Schools (FFS); mid & end season’s workshops and tailor made training for growers and the local trainers.
The FFS approach is an effective method to disseminate technical information and provide training on solving problems at grower’s site. The FFS was also a successful platform for growers to get together and to discus their technical problems with specialists in the field. The FFS subjects were based on grower’s problems, GH status, crop stage and seasons.
Farmers Field Schools and practical training for growers were conducted at the farmers’ fields by ICARDA scientists and consultant
To create more opportunities for further discussions on the problems and constrains facing growers and to insure the right implementation of Integrated Production and Protection Management (IPPM), mid and end seasons workshops were conducted. All project stockholders including growers, extension agents, donors and agricultural policy makers participated in these workshops where the major challenges facing the project have been discussed.
Number of workshops and farmers group discussion have been organized where all project stockholders including officials from MAF, ICARDA, other International Organization, NGOs and farmers participated.
Project also paid special attention to capacity building and human resource development. Number of on-the-job and in country training course for growers, extension agents and NGO personnel were organized. In addition, two on the job training course on GH management were implemented in advanced production sites and research centers in Oman and Egypt.
To understand the trends in demand, supply, and prices of vegetable crops a market survey was conducted. Daily Data have been collected from the Kabul central market for vegetable and fruit. A data base was developed based on this information. The benchmark surveys in the targeted areas and of selected pilot farmers were conducted to collect baseline information and appropriate performance indicators for monitoring and evaluation. The bench mark surveys have been followed by annual socio-economic study to measure the project progress and farmers constrains for further adoption of the new technology.
Project also conducted a study for survey the cash crop market in Kabul. This was aimed to find the best crop with the maximum benefit for growers and seasons for production. A database developed to understand the trends in demand, supply, and prices to design crop calendars and market strategies.
2. Project Components, Major Activates and Achievements top
a) Establishment of Protected Agriculture Center in Kabul topProtected agriculture (PA) is a relatively new agro-industry in Afghanistan. It was, therefore, important to demonstrate to growers, Extension Agents, NGO personnel and other stakeholders the potential of PA and all other associated practices such as drip irrigation, plant nursery management, integrated production and protection management (IPPM) practices and crop handling. This was why a Protected Agriculture Center (PAC) has been established in Kabul. The PAC was serving as:
· Research center for protected agriculture. · Demonstration unit for the production of high-value crops, · Training center for growers, extension agents, agriculture engineers and NGO personnel in all protected agriculture aspects and techniques, · Central point for technical support and advisory services
Local counterpart, extension agents, growers and technician were involved to get practical training on GH installation and preparation during establishment of PAC
During GHs installation and assembly in Afghanistan, the local counterpart, extension agents, growers and technician were involved to get practical training on GH installation and preparation. Beside of facilities for practical training on GH installation and crop handling the Protected Agriculture Center (PAC) also was equipped with two lecture rooms to provide excellent integrated facilities to train the growers.
Drip irrigation and fertigation systems also were installed for each GH. GHs were planted with different cash crops i.e. cucumber, tomato, lettuce and peppers. In addition to fulfilling the technical aspects of the research center, these crops also generated some revenues. For example, the first harvesting for one of the GH yielded 182 Kg of cucumbers (620 pieces) that were sold at 10 AF per piece by the Improved Seed Enterprise (ISE) of Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Total production in 75 days was 1.7 Ton, which were sold for about US$1200.
Number of adoptive research activities also was conducted at the PAC. These were including studies such as: 1) Study the local saw dust burner as a source of heat in the GHs during the cold season in Afghanistan; 2) Study different locally available materials and sands for using as growing media in nurseries and 3) Developing more economic GH structure for small growers. The out comes of these studies helped the project for further adoption and success.
b) Establishment of Green house Manufacturing Workshop top
Sustainability and expansion of the project in Afghanistan were mainly depending on availability of GH structure and other production facilities inside Afghanistan.
A GH manufacturing workshop (GHMW) was completed and started to produce single span GH structures at PAC. Local technicians were trained in manufacturing aspects and the majority of the items required were purchased locally. Most of the machineries were also purchased locally. Establishment of this facility contributed tremendously to reducing the initial capital that was required to invest in the structure. The workshop produced good quality structure GHs for about 40% less the cost of imported ones.
Manufacturing greenhouse structure at PAC greenhouse manufacturing workshop
Training the local technicians on greenhouse manufacturing at PAC workshop
c) Selection of Pilot Growers and establishment of production facilities at grower’s fields topThe project was designed with the major aim to promote the adoption of affordable and sustainable high intensity production system for cash crops, using marginal or otherwise non-productive lands and water more efficiently. This was achieved by installing simple GH structures at selected pilot farmer’s sites. The criteria for selecting the farmers were based on group discussions and farmers’ meetings in which the concepts of the project were discussed. All participating farmers were from the active segments of the farming communities in Kabul, Kunduz, Parwan, Ghazni, Helmand and Nangarhar. The total number of GHs installed up till April 2005, were 35. All production materials, fertilizers and seeds were provided to all pilot farmers in addition to the extensive training on GH management and crop handling. The technical backstopping and follow up were provided by ICARDA scientists and consultants through different participatory approaches such as regular visits, Farmer Field Schools (FFS), and workshops.
The success of the pilot growers in producing high quality cash crops encouraged the other growers to participate in the project. From Kunduz 30 growers requested ICARDA for the similar activities. They proposed to pay 50% of the GH costs. The project covered other 50% and provided growers with GH and technical back stopping for GH installation, preparation and production of high quality crops during their first growing seasons.
Installing Greenhouses at the farmers fields and technical backstopping were provided by ICARDA scientists and consultants through different participatory approaches such as FFS. d) Capacity Building and Human Resources Development topA human resource development and training program was designed and implemented for improving the knowledge and know-how of local researchers, extension agents and growers on different aspects of cash crop production in the GH. The program includes:
As of January 2006, the project trained 380 researchers, extension agents and growers through 17 training courses in side Afghanistan. The main attention is to train the trainers who can deliver the new technology to the other growers and end users.
Training coerces on greenhouse installation, preparation and IPPM inside Afghanistan
The project also held 5 workshops and 7 Farmer Field Schools (FFS). During the workshops and FFS different problems and constrains regarding the production of cash crop under the GHs were discussed in detail by growers, extension agents and other implementation teams with ICARDA scientists and consultants. Furthermore, 10 growers and extension agents were trained at leading farms and agricultural research centers outside the Afghanistan (Oman & Egypt). The main subject of these courses was GH Production Management. This is the first time that a project has sent Afghan growers overseas for training.
On-the job Training at Bosaily TC, Alexandria, Egypt from 29 May to 16 Jun 2005 (left) and at Rumais ARC, Muscat, Oman(Right) from 6 February to 13 March 2005
Eight (8) training manuals and hand outs were published in local language by the project. This is twice the target set for the project end. The handouts subjects are including greenhouse installation, climate control, irrigation, requirements for crops, Fertigation, management of drip irrigation, nursery for crops, and vegetable production. |
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