In rural eastern Afghanistan, home-based agricultural processing is a reliable means for widowed women to support their families. However, these women often operate in the shadow economy with inefficient methods of processing and absent food safety standards and protocols.

USAID is helping to modernize these home-based enterprises to become fully-registered businesses. In Parwan, USAID has been working with Muszhda Aadel to improve her apricot and tomato drying operations. Before USAID assistance, Muszhda Aadel earned less than $800 annually selling in the nearby market. As a result of USAID assistance, her annual sales increased to $4,787.

USAID helped Muszhda Aadel acquire three 50 kg solar drying machines. But this wasn’t just about USAID helping Muszhada Aadel, it was also about Muszhada Aadel giving back to the community and making her own investments in her company. In return, Muszhda Aadel invested in the construction of a processing room, conducted farmer field days to improve crop quality, and provided training for women in solar drying techniques. USAID also helped the company register with Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Additionally, the company’s improved product quality and increased processing volume have enabled it to expand sales across the province.

“Before, I was buying fresh tomatoes from the local market and drying tomatoes under sunlight and selling it in nearby houses and small retail shops in our village. USAID assistance enabled me to establish a contract with five tomato producers in Parwan. Now I produce dried tomatoes through a solar dryer machine and I’m selling dried tomatoes in Parwan and Kabul. The increase in production, sales and profit allows me to admit my children (two girls and one boy) in an English language center,” said Muszhda Aadel.