OVERVIEW

The Regional Agricultural Development Program-North (RADP-North) is a sustainable agriculture development program in Jawzjan, Balkh, Samangan, Baghlan, Kunduz, and Badakhshan. The program aims to support U.S. and Afghan Governments’ economic development objectives. RADP-N improves the sustainability and profitability in wheat, high-value horticultural crops, and livestock value chains that provide food and economic security for rural Afghans in the targeted provinces.

The program strengthens farmers’ production techniques and trains them to better market their products and generate more income for their families. RADP-N also engages the private sector to advocate for national policy reforms to bring about growth.

ACTIVITIES

• Improve productivity of wheat cultivation to reduce losses, improve food security, and boost household incomes
• Invest strategically in grape, dried fruits, nuts, and melon production to strengthen the market competitiveness and environmental sustainability of Afghan goods
• Support farmers to maximize opportunities to improve the conditions and environmental impact associated with goats and sheep
• Promote dialogue among Government of Afghanistan officials and local producers, processors, and traders to identify opportunities to improve the quantity and quality of Afghan goods
• Increase access to markets and strengthen relevant local and provincial policies to better support the needs of farmers and agribusinesses
• Develop broad and comprehensive strategies for gender integration and empower women through targeted activities, such as nutrition training throughout the project
• Promote crop diversification, increase rural household incomes and employment, and improve food security, while introducing alternatives to poppy farming in specific areas
• Link farmer associations, processors, retailers, traders, and other agribusinesses to financial institutions to facilitate their ability to invest in their own growth
• Engage targeted households and agribusinesses in nutrition-sensitive agricultural activities

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Over 97,400 households benefited from agriculture and alternative development interventions in Jawzjan, Balkh, Samangan, Baghlan, Kunduz and Badakhshan
• Engaged nearly 18,000 households and agribusinesses in nutrition-sensitive agricultural activities
• Created more than 400 new full-time jobs
• Increased sales of wheat, livestock, and horticultural products by $164 million
• Assisted 790 agricultural firms and businesses to improve their management practices and profits
• Increased profitability of targeted agribusinesses by over $7 million
• Assisted incremental sales value for agribusinesses to over $49 million