IDEA-NEW Quarterly Report—July-September 2014

The program's mission is to expand the licit agricultural economy in these regions, improving market access, increasing processing capacity, and catalyzing investments into Afghanistan's agricultural sector. IDEA-NEW's activities support agribusinesses at different points of each value chain, with a focus on the grape, orchard crop, and vegetable value chains in the Eastern region. The program's activities are divided into three main components: Strengthening Agricultural Input Suppliers, Supporting Food Processors, and Supporting Domestic Agribusinesses' Efforts to Import Key Inputs and Facilitate Market Entry for Regional and/or International Agribusiness Retailers. During the fourth quarter of FY2014, IDEA-NEW continued to implement activities per the approved Activity Plan. A total of 28 promotional and seven matching grants were signed, and nine field days were conducted by grantees, involving 438 farmers, DAIL staff, and students. Fixed Obligation Grants (FOG) were awarded to Green Afghanistan Agriculture and Livestock Organization (GAALO) and Reconstruction and Social Services for Afghanistan Organization (RSSAO) for training purposes. GAALO will provide pesticide safety and handling training to at least sixty trainees from IDEA-NEW selected ag-input dealers, while RSSAO will train sixty staff from Agribusinesses (food processors and ag-input dealers) on Marketing and Basic Business Accounting. Additionally, IDEA-NEW signed another FOG agreement with RSSAO for the training of forty employees of forty food processing companies from IDEA-NEW targeted provinces in basic food safety. IDEA-NEW also signed five SMS grant agreements, which have resulted in approximately 50 individual messages being sent by these grantees, reaching over 8,000 individual farmers in IDEA-NEW target provinces. The program participated in the 14th Annual International Agriculture Fair held at Badam Bagh Fairgrounds in Kabul from September 24-26, 2014, with 22 IDEA-NEW supported businesses participating. Despite these achievements, IDEA-NEW faced several constraints and critical issues during the quarter. Delays in receiving Vetting Support Unit (VSU) approvals for some businesses, coupled with the short remaining time-frame of the project, led to the cancellation or modification of some grants. The narrowing of IDEA-NEW's programmatic focus from eight value chains to three also acted as a hindrance in the Eastern provinces, as many applications received during the EOI process for promotional and matching grants did not fall into the grape, orchard, and vegetable value chains. In terms of data collection, while the M&E team was able to conduct all field visits as scheduled, there were times when security conditions caused minor delays. The Afghan election process also caused unforeseen office closures and security precautions, delaying program activities. However, with the election results announced, IDEA-NEW does not foresee this challenge during the coming fiscal year. The below text provides updates per activity based on the USAID-approved IDEA-NEW Activity Plan #5. Sub-Activity 1.1, Train input suppliers to identify and respond to the technical needs of their customers, received USAID Vetting Support Unit (VSU) approval for the Green Afghanistan Agriculture and Livestock Organization (GAALO) to provide trainings for selected input suppliers to improve their knowledge of safe pesticide usage, environmental risk mitigation methods, and hazard-free pesticide handling storage. The trainings will increase input suppliers' ability to provide high-quality products and services to their customers, ultimately improving the overall quality of agricultural inputs in the region. This activity is crucial in supporting the development of a sustainable and thriving agricultural economy in northern, eastern, and western Afghanistan. IDEA-NEW's efforts to strengthen agricultural input suppliers are part of a broader strategy to promote long-term agricultural development and alternative livelihoods for farmers in the region. By improving the quality of agricultural inputs and increasing market access, IDEA-NEW aims to contribute to the U.S. Government's stabilization and counternarcotics policy goals in Afghanistan. The program's activities are designed to be sustainable and self-sustaining, with a focus on building the capacity of local agribusinesses and input suppliers to continue providing high-quality products and services after the project's completion. By promoting a sustainable and thriving agricultural economy, IDEA-NEW aims to improve the livelihoods of farmers and their families, ultimately contributing to the economic development and stability of Afghanistan.