12 Project02 05

Increased Productivity and Profitability of Wheat-based Cropping Systems to Reduce Reliance on Opium Poppy in Northern Afghanistan (RALF02-05): 

Increased Productivity and Profitability of Wheat-based Cropping Systems to Reduce Reliance on Opium Poppy in Northern Afghanistan (RALF02-05) Joint Development Associates (JDA) Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Cornell University Balkh Savings & Credit Union (BSCU) Jan. 2005 – Jan. 2007

Purpose:: 

Purpose: To engage farmers in diversification of their farming systems with alternative high value livelihood options that improve productivity and profitability in wheat-based cropping systems.

Location & Target Groups: 

Location & Target Groups Balkh, Baghlan & Badakhshan Farmers in each province Relevant government agencies and NGOs

Field Crops Focus: 

Field Crops Focus Oilseeds: Soybean Canola (rapeseed) Peanut Sesame Flax Pearl Millet Maize Legumes Wheat varieties

Demand for Soybeans: 

Demand for Soybeans Poultry Farm Azia Company Type: Private Company Description: The poultry farm Azia is a sizeable supplier of eggs and chicken in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. They have been in this business for several decades. Soybeans are essential part of the chicken diet in this battery farm. The company used to purchase US produced soybeans supplied via the inter-governmental agreements. However, these supplies stopped recently and now the company urgently looking for direct suppliers of soybeans. Annual Sales: $300,000 Sales: Uzbekistan Quantity Needed: 4,000 tons annually

Demand for Soybeans: 

Demand for Soybeans 10,000 MT of USDA imported soybeans auctioned in Tashkent, Uzbekistan: 1 lot went for $400/MT, another for $385/MT

Field Crops Focus + Management: 

Field Crops Focus + Management Conservation Agriculture No-till/minimum till Raised beds Low external input sustainable agriculture (LEISA)

Expected Outputs: 

Expected Outputs Markets and Marketing Farming Systems Development Capacity building

Markets and Marketing: 

Markets and Marketing Established market pathways and business plans for new crops and value added products.

Farming Systems Development: 

Farming Systems Development Farmers are familiarised with new high value field crops. Farmers are familiarised with improved crop management technology (conservation agriculture, low external input agriculture). Farmers integrate positive experiences with new crops and technology into their traditional farming practices.

Capacity Building: 

Capacity Building Build capacity of Afghan research, development and extension staff in topics relevant to the expected project outcomes.

Main Activities - Markets and Marketing: 

Main Activities - Markets and Marketing Gather market information, both locally and regionally, on promising new crops and value added products. Analyze market information for crop profitability and opportunities for value addition by farmers at local level. Participatory discussions including potential entrepreneurs about business potential of new crops and added value products.

Main Activities - Farming Systems Development: 

Main Activities - Farming Systems Development Participatory discussions with farmers about their interests in new crops. Applied research of identified crops. Exposure of farmers to new crops. PTD of new crops. Sharing of experience/ lessons learned and extend knowledge on crops, their best management practices and their contribution to farm income/competitiveness with poppy production.

Main Activities - Farming Systems Development: 

Main Activities - Farming Systems Development Participatory discussions with farmers about their interests in better crop management technologies. Applied research of conservation agriculture and low external input sustainable agriculture methodologies. Exposure of farmers to conservation agriculture and low external input sustainable agriculture methodologies. PTD of conservation agriculture and low external input sustainable agriculture methodologies. Sharing of experience/ lessons learned and extend knowledge of better crop management technologies.

Main Activities - Farming Systems Development: 

Main Activities - Farming Systems Development Optimisation of the traditional farming system with new field crops and better crop management technologies.

Main Activity - Capacity Building: 

Main Activity - Capacity Building Training offered to government, NGO staff and interested stakeholders.

Current Activities: 

Current Activities Balkh CIMMYT International Trials & Nurseries 9 bread wheat trials & nurseries (1064 varieties & lines) 1 durum wheat trial (25 varieties) In addition- PYT, AYT & EYT trials Pre-release and seed increase plots Soybeans 18 varieties- on-station and on-farm Canola- 1 fall sown variety Peanut- 1 variety

Current Activities: 

Current Activities Baghlan 2 bread wheat trials (248 varieties & lines) Triticale trial (55 varieties & lines) Soybeans- 10 varieties Peanut, canola

Current Activities: 

Current Activities Badakhshan Conservation agriculture & min. till Wheat fertility management trial Date of planting for wheat International Triticale yield nursery (40 varieties) EYTIRR (elite yield trial irrigated) – 25 varieties High rainfall wheat screening nursery (299 varieties & lines) High rainfall wheat trial

Current Activities: 

Current Activities Badakhshan continued Soybeans Canola variety trial (5 varieties)

Current Activities: 

Current Activities Kunduz 12 CIMMYT bread wheat trials & nurseries (1268 varieties & lines) In addition- PYT, AYT & EYT trials Possibly soybeans (post-wheat)

Current Activities: 

Current Activities Sourcing seed Pearl millet- 6 improved, disease resistant varieties from ICRISAT (post wheat) Sesame- 6 improved, disease resistant, high yielding varieties from Mexico (post wheat) OP Maize from CIMMYT (post wheat)

Current Activities: 

Current Activities PTD workshop in Mazar for govt. staff DoA, Faculty of Agriculture at Balkh U. Soybean workshops for farmers and govt. staff Sourcing equipment for no-till to start soon Marketing research to start soon

Slide34: 

Planted Nov. 1, 2004 Planted Oct. 1, 2004 Canola on March 24, 2005