Eight
short-term, high-impact projects funded by USAID complemented
other efforts to shift Afghanistan from emergency relief to
an economically productive, sustainable, and diverse rural
economy. ICARDA managed this grant program that awarded a
total of US$ 1.25 million and ended in August 2003.
POTATO SEED PRODUCTION AND MULTIPLICATION
The International Potato Center (CIP) increased the supply
of virus-free potato seed in Afghanistan for local needs as
well as future export to neighboring countries by developing
a farmer-based seed multiplication system. The project successfully
trained farmers and tested new varieties in Jalalabad, Kabul,
and Bamyan.
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Seed
potato production training in Bamyan province. |
SUSTAINABLE MAIZE SYSTEMS: SEEDS
FOR PEACE
The International Center for
Wheat and Maize Improvement (CIMMYT) scientists implemented
an open-pollinated maize improvement program.
Researchers identified candidates for training and
chose 20 locations for trials around Afghanistan. CIMMYT distributed
seeds for trials and arranged for the planting of experiments
near key villages. Farmer survey documents were prepared
and a manual in Pashto and Dari was produced for farmers and
extension agents. After training, farmer-cooperators were
able to observe production problems and identify maize populations
for on-farm commercialization.
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Maize
cultivar in Kunduz Province. |
BUILDING HUMAN RESOURCE CAPACITY
IN WHEAT AND MAIZE RESEARCH
CIMMYT contributed to building human resource capacity by
training around 30 scientists. Five Afghan scientists participated
in the wheat improvement training course, and two attended
the advanced agronomy course in Mexico. One maize breeder
attended the advanced maize improvement course and two wheat
scientists joined the CIMMYT-Turkey office for training. An
in-country training course was held for 20 Afghan scientists.
RANGELAND INFORMATION PRODUCTS FROM
REMOTELY SENSED IMAGERY
Michigan State University utilized
satellite remote sensing and Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) technology to create detailed maps
to improve rangeland management. GIS experts accessed and
overlaid Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)
imagery and digital elevation model (DEM) data layers and
integrated the information from Landsat images for
all of Afghanistan from May 2002. The on-ground data validation
study began in June, and despite enormous security and logistical
problems, was a success. The crew traveled around the rainfed
regions of Afghanistan with Global Positioning System (GPS),
video and computing equipment to compare and validate on-ground
forage productivity with Landsat-based estimates. The resulting
maps along with training in interpretation and utilization
of the data for improved rangeland management were provided
to farmers and agricultural professionals at the MSU website.
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An
example of a MODIS image. |
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ON DEGRADED/SALINE
LAND
Drought has reduced surface water supplies and the bulk of
the irrigation systems which helped to produce more than 80%
of Afghanistan's food supply in the past. The International
Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), based in the United
Arab Emirates, provided apprenticeships for extension agents
to improve their basic skills in designing and operating improved
irrigation systems suitable for saline soils and water. Three
trainees worked at ICBA for six weeks and attended a two-month
water and soil management course at ICARDA.
FARM WATER MANAGEMENT AND IRRIGATION
Groundwater resources have been overexploited and the water
tables have dropped significantly over large areas of Afghanistan
causing wells to go dry. Soil salinization and degradation
is a priority issue in five provinces - Helmand, Ghazni, Faryab,
Shaberghan, and Kandahar. The Danish Committee for Aid to
Afghan Refugees (DACAAR) worked to introduce best management
practices for farm water management and irrigation. Their
project commitment was fulfilled by training eight Afghan
scientists in best water management practices at the water
and soil management course at ICARDA.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR WATER
AND SOIL
A team from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York held a workshop
on "Best Management Practices for Water and Soil"
at the College of Agriculture, Kabul University. Seventy-four
Afghans attended the first day's course on water management
and approximately 200 attended the second day's training in
crop and soil management. The researchers also organized a
traveling workshop for 35 participants. The participants visited
irrigation systems and farms in Baghlan and Balkh provinces,
and toured the Parwan irrigation project. During the workshop,
the investigators conducted field schools to help farmers
better understand water and nutrient management practices.
Handouts in local languages on key factors in wheat production,
soil nutrient deficiencies, wheat diseases and water management
were distributed at the workshop.
BUILDING CAPACITY TO CONTROL SUNN
PEST INFESTATIONS
The indiscriminate use of pesticides has created resistance
in and killed the natural enemies of Sunn Pest. ICARDA and
the University of Vermont addressed the Sunn Pest problem
by providing integrated pest management training to Afghan
agronomists, farmers and NGOs. The training covered biological
and behavioral knowledge of Sunn Pest, farming practices,
host-plant resistance, entomopathogenic fungi and the use
of conventional pesticide. ICARDA also conducted an in-country
training course. Crop production guides on insect management
were translated into Dari and Pashto. The group also delivered
a Sunn Pest Management Guide to the Central Asia Development
Group (CADG), based in Afghanistan, which enabled local farmers
to save 32,000 hectares of irrigated wheat worth US$ 12.8
million. Researchers also re-established the Kabul University
Entomology Laboratory and furnished it with equipment purchased
through this grant. |
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