Kandahar Food Zone: Mid-Term Performance Evaluation

The program's primary objective is to address drivers of poppy cultivation in Kandahar through alternative livelihood activities. KFZ works closely with the Ministry of Counter-narcotics (MCN) to conduct capacity building for the ministry in its Kabul and Kandahar offices. The program is part of a four-pillar MCN strategy called MCN-KFZ, which aims to reduce poppy cultivation and increase the effectiveness and legitimacy of national and sub-national administrations. KFZ's approach focuses on increasing access to affordable irrigation water through lengthy canal rehabilitations, implementing vocational trainings tied to alternative development, and conducting capacity-building trainings for MCN staff. The program has made significant progress in executing its contract, but has been hindered by factors outside of its control. These challenges include the country's constant and considerable increases in poppy cultivation since the fall of the Taliban, as well as the insufficient and unsuccessful eradication efforts. Previous alternative livelihoods programming in Afghanistan has seen mixed results, often due to inadequate ties to a multi-agency approach. Many of these programs focused on crop substitution and similar alternative cropping schemes that sometimes had counterproductive effects. The Helmand Food Zone (HFZ), for example, pushed poppy farmers out into marginal desert areas with no government control, resulting in a considerable increase in poppy cultivation levels. The KFZ program has been hindered by the work of the four MCN-KFZ pillars, which have been impacted by the realities on the ground. The program's scope, timeframe, and funding should be changed to better reflect these realities and to ensure that the program's objectives are met. This may involve adjusting the program's focus to address the specific needs of the communities it serves and to ensure that the program's activities are sustainable and durable. The mid-term performance evaluation of KFZ has highlighted the importance of a multi-agency approach to addressing poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. The program's success will depend on its ability to work effectively with other stakeholders, including the Afghan government, international donors, and local communities. By addressing the challenges facing the program and adapting its approach to the realities on the ground, KFZ can make a significant contribution to reducing poppy cultivation and increasing the effectiveness and legitimacy of national and sub-national administrations in Afghanistan. The evaluation has also identified the need for improved coordination and communication between the different pillars of the MCN-KFZ strategy. This will require a more effective system for sharing information and resources, as well as a greater emphasis on collaboration and cooperation between the different stakeholders involved in the program. By improving its coordination and communication, KFZ can ensure that its activities are aligned with the overall objectives of the MCN-KFZ strategy and that the program's impact is maximized. In terms of specific recommendations, the evaluation suggests that the KFZ program should focus on increasing its support for vocational training and capacity building for MCN staff. This will help to ensure that the program's activities are sustainable and durable, and that the program's impact is maximized. The evaluation also recommends that the program should prioritize its activities in areas where the need is greatest, and that it should work closely with local communities to ensure that the program's activities are responsive to their needs.