Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East and West (IDEA-NEW) Monthly Report—March 2014

The program's mission is to expand the licit agricultural economy in these regions, supporting agribusinesses at different points of each value chain to improve market access, increase processing capacity, and catalyze investments into Afghanistan's agricultural sector. IDEA-NEW's activities focus on strengthening agriculture input suppliers, supporting food processors and agribusinesses, and promoting cross-cutting themes such as gender and coordination with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA). In March 2014, the program presented upcoming activities and priorities at Provincial Development Committee (PDC) meetings in Kapisa and Nangarhar province, as well as at a sector meeting for Agriculture, Rural Rehabilitation, and Development in Kapisa. In February 2014, Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) became the sole implementer of IDEA-NEW, focusing on the Eastern region, specifically Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, Kabul, Kapisa, Panjshir, and Parwan provinces. The program aims to provide targeted support to input suppliers and food processors that operate in the grape, orchard crop, and vegetable value chains. IDEA-NEW has developed plans for an SMS-based marketing tool to Ag-input wholesalers, which will allow them to market their products and disseminate agriculture-related information to farmers. The project staff has established a clear demand for a mobile solution among input wholesalers through focus group meetings in Jalalabad and Kabul. IDEA-NEW is designing an RFP that targets input wholesalers that provide services to farmers in target provinces. The program has also supported agribusinesses through training and in-kind support, yielding results for former grantees. IDEA-NEW evaluated 218 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) received from potential grantees, and 45 businesses were considered eligible for the program. A complete RFA was subsequently issued to the shortlisted candidates, who will be further assessed and considered for grantee status. IDEA-NEW has also introduced product samples from a woman-owned fruit and vegetable processing company, Faisal Jam & Pickle, to Finest supermarket chain in Kabul. The company is owned by Ms. Zarifa from Kapisa province and produces carrot jam, apple jam, pickles, and chutney. Finest will evaluate the products and identify potential weaknesses, with a view to entering into a delivery agreement with Faisal Jam & Pickle. The program has also coordinated with GIRoA, presenting upcoming program priorities to key value chain actors in the region. On March 19, IDEA-NEW participated in a PDC meeting in Nangarhar province, which was chaired by Governor Maulvi Attaullah Ludin. The meeting was attended by the Provincial Governor and Deputy Provincial Governor, Directors of DAIL, and other stakeholders. IDEA-NEW's activities in March 2014 have focused on strengthening agriculture input suppliers, supporting food processors and agribusinesses, and promoting cross-cutting themes such as gender and coordination with GIRoA. The program aims to expand the licit agricultural economy in northern, eastern, and western Afghanistan, supporting agribusinesses at different points of each value chain to improve market access, increase processing capacity, and catalyze investments into Afghanistan's agricultural sector. The program's efforts to introduce new marketing strategies for agriculture input suppliers, support food processors and agribusinesses, and promote cross-cutting themes such as gender and coordination with GIRoA are expected to contribute to more sustainable value chains, improve business opportunities, and increase company sales.