OMM Redaksiyası
The European Union and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have launched a $5.7 million initiative to help farmers in Afghanistan access markets, strengthen agribusinesses and withstand climate-related and economic shocks.
The program will target vulnerable families in areas facing food and nutrition insecurity, climate risks and limited economic opportunities. These include returnees, internally displaced people and host communities. According to FAO, women and young people will be among the project’s main target groups.
Farmers’ access to markets to be expanded
Four one-stop service centers will be established to connect farmers and rural entrepreneurs with agricultural advisory services, specialized support, agribusinesses and markets.
The centers will also enable farmers to use FAO climate analysis and early-warning information when making production and marketing decisions.
EU Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Afghanistan Nikola Bellomo said the funding demonstrated the bloc’s continued support for the Afghan people.
“The European Union’s contribution to FAO demonstrates our enduring commitment to food security and expanding the economic opportunities of the Afghan people,” Bellomo said.
He said Afghanistan’s agricultural sector continued to face climate-related challenges, while the country’s agricultural potential remained underdeveloped and constrained by its extreme vulnerability to climate conditions.
Rural jobs to be created
According to FAO, the initiative will restore 2,000 hectares, or 20 square kilometers, of degraded forests and rangelands. It will also support 250 nurseries managed by women and local communities.
The UN agency will provide selected agrifood and environmentally sustainable businesses with tailored financing grants, as well as technical and business advice. The enterprises will invest their own resources alongside project funding.
FAO Representative in Afghanistan Richard Trenchard said agrifood businesses had shown potential for expansion despite the difficult conditions.
“As we move from predominantly humanitarian programs toward more sustainable approaches, Afghanistan’s agrifood businesses have demonstrated real potential to grow, create jobs and connect farmers to markets, even in an extremely challenging environment,” Trenchard said.
