Agricultural Services and Livelihood Improvement (ASLI)

Agriculture is of crucial importance for Afghanistan’s socioeconomic development and the livelihoods of the people. Despite high urbanization rates, Afghanistan remains an essentially rural society; an estimated 70% of the population live in rural areas and 61% of households depend fully or partially on income derived from agricultural activities.

Poor and vulnerable farming families improve their livelihoods through demand-driven public agricultural service delivery. 

The project will directly benefit at least 20% of food insecure and resource-poor farming households in four target districts of Bamyan province (approximately 30’000 people).

It will be implemented through public extension workers as the main government counterpart in close collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock staff at the national and subnational level. The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development will be involved in infrastructure related activities, need assessment survey, and other field level activities.

Outcome 1: Target households in the selected districts are more productive, resilient and better linked to markets.

Outcome 2: Subnational institutions have developed their capacities and deliver improved services

Expected results:  

Output 1.1: Commonly beneficial and climate smart natural resource management practices and infrastructure is established in four districts.

Output 1.2: Households adopt improved production and processing technologies and practices.

Output 1.3: Agricultural households organize themselves in Common Interest Groups (CIGs).

Output 1.4: Households improve their nutrition, sanitation and child-care.

Output 2.1: Extension workers learn and transmit improved technical knowhow to households in target districts.

Output 2.2: Line ministries improve their capacities for coordinating and implementing development activities.

Results from previous phases:  

Baselines will be established within the first quarter of the project through collection of information at household level.

Luxembourg Development Cooperation (LuxDev), Italian Development Cooperation, Government of Germany, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock

Government-led initiatives such as the National Horticulture and Livestock Program and the On-Farm Water Management Program

Relevant NGO-led agricultural projects

SDC-mandated “Green Initiative for Afghanistan’s Agriculture” (GIAA) Project and SDC-funded “Government School Support Program” (GSSP)

Phase 1 08.08.2017 - 31.05.2022   (Completed)