As the conflict in Afghanistan continued year after year to span decades, the most basic components of human progress suffered. Children were separated from knowledge that used to be passed from generation to generation. Many professionals left and found jobs in other countries. The experts that remained in Afghanistan were isolated from contact with peers and progress. As international agricultural research advanced to meet the demands of the global marketplace, Afghans fell further and further behind.

To build sustainable agricultural production in Afghanistan, scientists, researchers, technicians, professors and farmers need access to new skills and new information to improve their

operations and their incomes. ICARDA and the Future Harvest Consortium build training into every aspect of every project.

Upgrading Afghan Professional Expertise
As the central government and its institutions struggle to gain the confidence of the Afghan people, the Consortium members are training and upgrading the skills of the Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MOAL) staff and University faculty members. Afghan scientists, researchers, teachers and technicians have upgraded their skills with hands-on, practical training on seed health and quality testing, management of agricultural research stations, water management, virus-free potato seed production, communications, crop improvement, and soil quality.

ICARDA has rebuilt 6 MOAL agricultural stations in 5 provinces to facilitate farmer outreach. Consortium staff members are co-located with the MOAL staff and working together in implementing Future Harvest Consortium rebuilding projects as well as MOAL extension activities. Future Harvest partner, CIMMYT, offered unique training courses in wheat and maize improvement, specially targeted for scientists. The developed cultivars have shown excellent results in yield trials and participants were introduced to new agronomy practices such as raised beds. New, improved crops have been planted at the stations and farmers have access to the new technologies, varieties, and training.

Working Directly with Farmers
This past spring, farmers, University faculty, scientists and technicians were invited to learn the production of virus-free potato seed in Jalalabad. The production of the seed can be a business enterprise in itself, or a valuable tool in dramatically increasing yields. This training was repeated in 8 other provinces. To date, over 725 Afghans have received valuable new skills that will result in better crops, new markets and higher incomes.

Cooperation with other NGOs
Since water remains one of the most critical barriers to agricultural production, over 100 Afghans have been trained in practical and technical aspects of essential water management by Cornell University, the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), the Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees (DACAAR) and ICARDA.

The candidates advanced by DACAAR will return to Afghanistan to be integrated into their rebuilding strategy based on Integrated Agriculture Development activities. A region is designated for a comprehensive, multifaceted agricultural improvement program that includes: seed multiplication, soil moisture conservation, nurseries, irrigation improvement and animal husbandry. All of these activities involve active farmer participation. By training the trainers, outreach is expanded exponentially.

Preparing for a Market Based Economy
Training opportunities have created qualified, skilled workers for existing jobs and jobs that will be created as the economy moves forward. The 6 seed laboratories being installed are an essential step in building food security as well as entering a global marketplace. Seed entering the country is tested for pests and pathogens, thus protecting existing agricultural production.

Seed being offered for sale by seed supply entrepreneurs can be quality tested and labeled to build consumer confidence in a reliable product. This service calls for qualified Afghan men and women to

staff the labs. Business plans are being prepared for these aspects of the burgeoning seed enterprise to assist Afghans in their entry into a market economy.

Thoughtful and strategic training opportunities conducted in partnership with other rebuilding efforts are reaching out exponentially to raise the capacity of Afghans. With security and stability, the effects will be felt for generations. The Future Harvest Consortium is striving to enable Afghans to generate agricultural technologies that address the unique needs of their country and achieve self-sufficiency.

For more information about training opportunities at ICARDA:
Adriana Bruggeman
Ahmed Semir