RADP-North FY2015 Annual Work Plan

The program's start-up phase, which took place from May 21 to October 31, 2014, involved mobilizing core staff, setting up office facilities, and establishing initial project infrastructure. Key accomplishments during this period included setting up permanent facilities for the office and expatriate guesthouse, finalizing subcontracts with major program subcontractors, and mobilizing a total of 15 expatriate and 78 national staff. RADP-North's program structure involves establishing offices in three cities: Mazar-e-Sharif, Kunduz City, and Fayzabad. These cities were selected due to their strategic location and hosting of key Production and Commerce Clusters (PCCs). The program will cover three regional economic areas, aligning with USAID and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's (GIRoA) regional economic corridors and zones. The program's monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system was also established during the start-up phase. RADP-North trained 18 technical staff on the M&E system, and a baseline survey was launched. Additionally, five value chain strategies were developed, and the program started working on a certified wheat seed distribution strategy with three seed enterprises. RADP-North's program management, operations, and M&E are overseen by a Program Management Team (PMT). The PMT is responsible for ensuring the program's effective implementation, monitoring progress, and making adjustments as needed. The program's M&E system will provide regular updates on progress, enabling the PMT to make informed decisions and ensure the program's success. The program's geographic focus is on six target provinces in northern Afghanistan: Balkh, Samangan, Jowzjan, Kunduz, Baghlan, and Badakhshan. These provinces were selected due to their agricultural potential and the presence of key PCCs. RADP-North's implementation will be guided by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), which outlines the program's undertakings to support the improvement of agricultural productivity and profitability in the target provinces. RADP-North's implementation will be carried out through four contract line item numbers (CLINs): CLIN 1, CLIN 2, CLIN 3, and CLIN 4. CLIN 1 focuses on developing value chain strategies, while CLIN 2 involves implementing high-value crops, including grapes, melons, and nuts. CLIN 3 targets livestock development, and CLIN 4 focuses on enabling the environment, including grants and sustainability initiatives. The program's timeframes are from October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015. RADP-North's implementation will be monitored and evaluated regularly, with progress updates provided to stakeholders. The program's success will be measured by its ability to improve agricultural productivity and profitability in the target provinces, as well as its impact on the lives of farmers and rural communities. RADP-North's program will also address cross-cutting themes, including alternative development, gender, nutrition, and access to finance. These themes are critical to the program's success, as they will enable RADP-North to address the underlying causes of poverty and improve the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities.