AFGHANISTAN SEED AND CROP IMPROVEMENT SITUATION

III.AGRICULTURE

III.7.9. RICE VARIETIES

FAO reports that it introduced into Afghanistan the rice varieties for rainfed areas shown in the following table.

Table 14 (PDF File 52Kb)
Exotic Improved Rainfed Rice Cultivars Recently Introduced into Afghanistan by FAO

III.7.10. SOURCE OF GENETIC MATERIALS INTRODUCED

There has been much discussion about using genetic materials from Afghan landraces in developing varieties, in an effort to "utilize and save domestic genetic materials". However, this would require breeding programs considerably more extensive and costly than are foreseeable in the short term in Afghanistan. Manan and Wassimi also report that the 5 rainfed wheat varieties introduced from abroad out-yielded all local varieties in trials.

Also, Dennis et al. noted that the rainfed rice varieties introduced by FAO since 1996 have contained no known genetic material originating in Afghanistan. Similarly, their accessed information shows that introduced rainfed and irrigated wheat varieties have included no Afghan genetic materials. The authors concluded that "Afghan wheat farmers are on their own when it comes to replicating and reselecting local variety seed".

III.7.11. INTRODUCTION OF IRRIGATED vs. RAINFED VARIETIES

Dennis et al. noted that most introduced varieties were for irrigated areas, while farm families in rainfed areas constituted some 44% of the total farm households. This may represent some neglect of rainfed farm families, but at the same time, some 80% of wheat production comes from irrigated areas. Additionally, FAO (Fitzherbert) noted that rainfed areas have not produced a normal crop for the last 4 years, and irrigated areas give a greater return for the investment.

III.7.12. PLANT QUARANTINE

A plant quarantine law reportedly existed, and could be brought back into action. It was administered by the Plant Protection and Quarantine Department in the Ministry of Agriculture (A.R. Manan).

This needs to be investigated in detail, and revived, especially in light of the need for horticultural improvements needed, in fruits and other crops.

III.7.13. MIN. AGRI. CROP RESEARCH REHABILITATION PRIORITIES

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of the Interim Government cites its priorities in rehabilitating the Agricultural Research Department (ultimately responsible for variety development, testing and recommendation) as:

Rehabilitation of Agricultural Gene Bank for protection and safekeeping of native and external improved seed in the country.
Upgrade the Agriculture Research staff's technical knowledge, Sending 10 people/year abroad is needed.
Provision of research items such as cereals, vegetable seed, oil grains, industrial plants, fruit.
Provision of material for wheat and maize breeding.
Provision of agricultural equipment like seed drill, hoe, rake, seed planter, seed cleaner.
Thresher, combine, for Kabul and other provinces.
Provision of vehicles (jeep 20 pcs, tractor complete set 10 pcs).
Repair of one hotbed with capacity of one million seedlings such as tomato, piper, black tomato, etc.
Provision of improved fruit trees like apple, apricot, peach, almond for research work.
Provision of two deep wells in the Center of Ministry of Agriculture and in Badam Bagh farm, including 2 pcs of 4-inch water pump with diesel generator.
Rehabilitation of greenhouse related to the Agriculture Research Department in the Center of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Provision of aluminum siphon for irrigation of experimental plots in the Center and Provinces.
Provision of scissors for cutting of tree branches and graft equipment (scissors, knife, cloths, and wax).
Provision of sprayer (10 pcs), medicine spray 10 liters capacity, 2 pcs, and one pc of automatic sprayer.
(letter 321/201/18 11. 1389, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry to FAO).

III.7.14. CROP IMPROVEMENT

Crop improvement is often considered only as breeding new varieties. In real-life economics and agriculture, crop improvement is the entire long-term and ongoing, never-ending process of developing superior varieties, multiplying them, and getting farmers to use them.

Elsewhere in this report, the present and recent past status of crop improvement is discussed. This indicates significant needs in crop improvement in order to enable Afghanistan to produce the food and feed it needs. Some of these are listed below, and possible approaches for improvement are discussed in the section on Strategies.

III.7.14.1. Variety Development

In wheat, existing landraces and farmer varieties have become susceptible to several diseases which cause serious yield reductions. New varieties introduced during the Soviet occupation also reportedly have become susceptible, as have some other introduced varieties.

A continuing program of introducing improved genetic materials is essential, to provide genetic yield increase potential and continuing resistance to the primary diseases. As pathogens evolve, improved resistance and yield ability must be continuously developed and transferred to farmers.

Introduction of germ plasm from ICARDA and other research centers, and improved varieties developed for other but similar regions are essential to keep ahead of the disease situation and to increase yields. In-country collection, testing and use of domestic genetic materials in breeding programs are equally essential. Both domestic landraces and introduced germ plasm should be used in the ongoing search for materials to incorporate into improved varieties.

The MOAL must ensure that it has the infrastructure, staff, and technologies to be efficient in cost and time to conduct the activities required to stay ahead of changing needs. This will require that the MOAL not try to re-achieve its 1979 status, but leap ahead to present-day technologies and conditions. This may require that MOAL evaluate and re-organize itself to accommodate today's technologies and needs. It will have to rebuild and modernize its staff; this will probably require staff training and technical assistance. Facilities and equipment must be developed, and at least the minimum number of research stations will have to be selected, rehabilitated, equipped and staffed. Breeding, germ plasm collection, trials, etc., should be an ongoing intensive program. Breeder and Foundation (Basic) seed must be maintained in adequate quantities.

III.7.14.2. Participatory Plant Breeding

This new term for an old approach is quite valid today under Afghanistan's conditions. It involves growing comparative trials of the available range of genetic materials under farmer conditions, holding farmer field days to examine the trials, and involving farmers in selecting the lines which should be multiplied and released as varieties.

In Afghanistan, wheat is used primarily by the farm family; a relatively small amount enters the market. Thus, there is little need for market-driven characteristics such as baking; what the local families want is the market-demanded qualities. This makes it more essential to involve "participatory plant breeding" in selecting lines for new varieties. Involving farmers in "selecting the varieties" helps ensure acceptance and use of the new varieties.

This will require, in addition to the research stations, an extensive network of on-farm field trials; in general, farmers have greater faith in trials and demonstrations when they are conducted under conditions the farmers know and relate to. While these tests should be conducted by crop researchers, this is also an Extension activity and should be done in close working relations with Extension.

III.7.14.3. Extension Variety Technology Transfer to Farm Families

Extension is the primary system for transferring improved technology to farm families, and should be an important and aggressive part of the activities of the MOAL. Extension promotion, both as part of the participatory plant breeding approach and in its farmer education through field and on-farm demonstrations of new varieties and production technologies, is a critical part of the crop improvement process.

Extension and research should work together to conduct the field trials involved in participatory plant breeding. In addition, Extension should maintain a wide range of activities to carry new varieties, new technologies/methods/etc., to farm families. In Afghanistan, there appear to be two primary essential approaches to improving rural life through technology (variety!) transfer to farm families. These are briefly described below.

III.7.14.3.1. Farmers

Afghanistan's literacy rate is about 34-35%. Thus, most of the farmers cannot read. This precludes general dissemination of leaflets and publications. The approach must be at a low education level, which requires extensive use of demonstration/ comparative plots, field days, and similar approaches which demonstrate actual local-conditions and semi-hands-on learning experiences.

III.7.14.3.2. School Children

If/as broad-based schooling for more children is developed, the educated segment of Afghan rural populations will be the children. An important aspect of their education should be the practical application of the technologies that improve rural life and income-health, nutrition, cropping, pest control, etc.

An effective Extension should use this audience-school children who can read and write-as a major means of reaching farm families and improving their living conditions.

As an example, this was a major approach for Extension in the "deep south of the USA" in the 1930's, when this area was undeveloped, illiteracy was high, and the "great depression" was severe.

Extension agents went to schools, talked/demonstrated/interacted with school classes and individual children, gave them samples (new varieties, fertilizers, rat baits, etc.), and to some extent followed-up with home visits to the children's families. This played a major role in adoption of improved varieties. This approach seems ideal for Afghanistan.