RADP-North FY2015 Annual Report

To achieve this, the program strengthens the capacity of farmers in improved production in the wheat, high value crop, and livestock value chains. Its activities enable farmers to increase their commercial viability and competitiveness in response to market demand, thereby generating greater income opportunities and empowering families to better meet their household needs. RADP-North uses a value chain facilitation approach to address numerous bottlenecks and identify lead firms within area capable of leveraging positive change. The final piece of RADP-North's holistic framework is supporting a policy environment through advocacy and dialogue that strengthens the private sector. The program's geographic coverage includes Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Jawzjan, Kunduz, and Samangan provinces. In its first full year of implementation, RADP-North implemented 17 activities and issued six grants valued at $80,339 to local partners. Activity highlights include training 3,153 wheat farmers and 37 trainers on weed control and 79 farmers in Conservation Agriculture (CA). Additionally, 3,920 farmers and 36 trainers were trained on Melon Fly Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in five provinces. The program also facilitated market linkages at the Istanbul WorldFood Trade exhibition, signing one contract. Shirabad Seed Company unloaded certified wheat seed distribution pilot project in Dawlatabad district on December 11. Furthermore, 4,276 sheep and goat farmers (600 female) and 55 trainers (7 female) were trained on new harvesting techniques to improve volume and quality of cashmere and karakul pelts. RADP-North also assessed 240 private livestock service providers, including Veterinary Field Units (VFUs), for their commercial viability by identifying strengths and needs, client coverage, service quality, and revenue. A gender study was initiated to inform the RADP-North gender approach. Various beneficiary- and/or activity-related surveys were conducted during the fourth quarter of this fiscal year, including the RADP-North Constraints Analysis and the CLIN 1 Nutrition Survey. The program's direct implementation includes mobile seed marketing, which addressed the issue of limited direct sales of seed. Program staff met with seed companies, cooperatives, and agriculture retailers in Balkh, Samangan, and Jawzjan provinces. Five private seed companies were engaged in the mobile seed marketing pilot, and 1,830.5 Jeribs of wheat land were reaped for 183 farmers by 30 2-wheeled tractor operators. RADP-North's training activities also included training 2992 female farmers and 17 trainers on Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) Bags. The program's market linkage facilitation efforts resulted in the signing of one contract at the Istanbul WorldFood Trade exhibition. The program's gender study aims to inform the RADP-North gender approach and improve the program's effectiveness in addressing the needs of female farmers. The program's geographic coverage includes six Northern provinces, and its activities are designed to strengthen the capacity of farmers in improved production in the wheat, high value crop, and livestock value chains. RADP-North's holistic framework includes value chain facilitation, policy environment support, and advocacy and dialogue to strengthen the private sector. The program's direct implementation includes mobile seed marketing, training activities, and market linkage facilitation efforts.