'Afghanistan is experiencing its most severe drought in eight years, with farming communities in the northern provinces being the hardest hit. In these areas where crops and livestock are dependent on rainfall rather than irrigation, an Afghan minister reported that 1.5 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian relief. '

Mohammad Tahir was dubious about not growing poppy on his one-acre plot of land in Pashton Zargon District, Herat Province, western Afghanistan this year, but has now made a decision. “I will not cultivate opium this year. I will only grow saffron this time,” the young farmer, who feeds an extended family, told IRIN.

“It [saffron] is a legitimate crop and also the profit is `halal’ [in accordance with Islamic law],” he said.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Kabul University (KU) entered into partnership in late 2005 to establish the Center for Policy and Human Development (CPHD). The first Afghan policy research institution of its kind, CPHD has become the focal point of human development and policy research, teaching, and advocacy in the country.
The CPHD based at Kabul University campus, provided a welcoming institutional home. A modern facility with a Human Development Resource Center accessi more...

KABUL (July 10, 2008) - While walking around the markets of Kabul, one is certain to see large crowds of small retailers, endlessly announcing their offering food items to unexpected customers. 'But not a lot of people can afford to buy food' says Farhad, who is a vegetable seller. 'I come to the market with great hopes to earn some money, but I go home concerned about what to feed my children.'

This issue paper reviews the existing empirical studies on the relevance of agriculture on livelihoods of people and contrasts it with the approach of the local government and aid agencies. The paper also examines how rehabilitation effort and poppy trade has shaped the relationship between aid agencies and the farmers. It concludes by recommending a more pragmatic and principled approach to efforts for agriculture development and its impact on livelihoods

This case study examines how the entry of microcredit into rural and household economies in Afghanistan affects informal credit relations and livelihood outcomes through effects on the overall village economy.

The National Solidarity Programme (NSP) was created by the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to develop the ability of Afghan communities to identify, plan, manage and monitor their own development projects. NSP was established in 2003 by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development to lay the foundation for a sustainable form of inclusive local governance, rural reconstruction, and poverty alleviation.

This paper provides an overview of the key challenges faced by small and medium-sized rural enterprises (SMEs) in Afghanistan. The evidence is drawn from secondary sources as well as primary data collected during fieldtrips to the provinces of Bamyan, Balkh, and Nangarhar. Source: AREU

Drawing from a detailed presentation of eight households case studies, and amplified with addition case material, a number of key conclusions can be drawn from the findings of this study. Source: AERU

The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) is an independent research organisation based in Kabul. AREU's mission is to conduct high-quality research that informs and influences policy and practice. AREU also actively promotes a culture of research and learning by strengthening analytical capacity in Afghanistan and facilitating reflection and debate. Fundamental to AREU’s vision is that its work should improve Afghan lives.