Regional Agricultural Development Program-South June 2014 Monthly Report

The program focuses on improving the productivity and profitability of the wheat, high value crops, and livestock value chains, while addressing policy, legal, and regulatory constraints affecting value chain development. RADP-S supports the consolidation of licit economies to fuel sustainable long-term economic growth, including providing alternatives to poppy cultivation. The implementation approach of RADP-S dovetails with Afghan and U.S. government strategies in its focus on advancing food security, regenerating agribusiness, and increasing agriculture sector jobs and incomes. RADP-S aims to strengthen the capacity of producers, associations, traders, and agribusinesses to respond to market demands; facilitate lasting market linkages between value chain actors; and support an enabling environment that allows the private sector to thrive. The program places the Afghan private sector at the forefront of implementation and addresses key crosscutting issues of women's empowerment, agribusiness value chain facilitation, and alternative development in all facets of the program. In June 2014, RADP-S and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (MAIL) executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) laying the foundation for office establishment and implementation of technical activities in the districts. The RADP-S productivity and production unit focused on setting the stage for training of trainer (TOT) activities and establishment of demonstration farms. The unit completed three modules in food safety and hygiene, nutrition, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), making for a total of 29 training modules spanning pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest techniques for wheat and high value crops, and environmental compliance. The RADP-S productivity and production unit also established a system for selecting lead farmers and landowners, identifying and leasing demonstration farm sites, and procuring the necessary materials to establish the farms. Upon execution of the MOU, the key implementing partners (KIPs) organized coordination meetings with relevant district stakeholders, garnering cooperation to establish district offices and to collaboratively identify eligible lead farmer candidates and demonstration farm sites. The Dutch Committee for Afghanistan (DCA), RADP-S' implementation partner for livestock activities, made significant progress in the assessment and selection of veterinary field units (VFUs). Sixteen active veterinary field units (VFUs) signed service agreements with DCA in Quarter III and will now submit monthly activity and disease breakout status reports to DCA. Twenty-five sites for new VFUs were additionally identified. In the meantime, 37 villages agreed to train basic veterinary workers (BVWs) and 18 candidates qualified for a six-month para-veterinary course at DCA's Charikar Training and Support Center in Parwan. RADP-S hosted the Provincial Governors and DAIL Directors Coordination Meeting at the Baron, attended by the provincial governor from each of the four target provinces, 11 district governors, KIP leadership, and members of USAID. RADP-S leadership presented an overview of the goals and activities of the program and focused on opportunities for mutually advantageous collaboration between RADP-S, the DAILs, and provincial leadership. Director Nilsestuen delivered the opening address, emphasizing that RADP-S is the first of four agricultural programs designed to improve food and economic security for rural Afghans over the long term.