AFGHANISTAN
XII. STRATEGY AND APPROACHES FOR IMPROVEMENT
XII.11. PROPOSED MASTER PLAN OF ACTION
To correct the existing conditions and move Afghanistan's rural population into a reasonable level of self-support will require a range of actions at all levels from national policy down to the farm families themselves. Many of the needs in crop and seed improvement have been detailed herein.
Crop and seed quality (and all aspects from production to utilization must be included) improvement is a complex activity including many different aspects at different levels. All must be brought together in a coordinated approach, if effective and efficient conditions are to be created. To improve the quality of seed and crops, and improve crop production, will require more than a few self-contained development efforts; a master plan of action including all aspects, must be carefully prepared and implemented.
An Action Plan is essential, to initiate and complete action on the identified needs in an orderly, cost-effective and time-efficient manner. Without a specific Plan of Action and specifically-assigned responsibilities (along with sufficient authority to carry out the responsibilities), nothing will be accomplished.
A complete Action Plan includes:
Goals
Objectives
Expected results
Responsible parties
Tasks to be accomplished
Time schedule for accomplishing each step of each activity
Budget
Periodic indicators of progress
The beneficiaries must always ultimately be the rural population of Afghanistan.
Outlined below are some of the essential components of a Plan of Action. These, and others as found necessary, should be implemented together as integral parts of a coordinated approach. They should be implemented as soon as possible in order to prevent further deterioration in living conditions.
This outline of a Plan of Action includes only those aspects of immediate need/importance in seed and crop improvement.
XII.11.1. ACTIONS AT NATIONAL POLICY AND GOVERNMENT LEVEL
At the overall national policy level, the following actions are needed to establish a legal basis for improving Afghanistan's rural conditions.
XII.11.1.1. National Seed Policy
A complete and realistic National Seed Policy should be enacted, with the effect of law and ensured long-term application. This should follow approaches tried and proven internationally and suitable for the long-term in Afghanistan while recognizing the level at which development must be initiated.
XII.11.1.2. National Seed Law
A National Seed Law should be enacted, and an effective Implementation Agency established, staffed and funded as outlined under "Ministry of Agriculture" below. This Law should ensure standards of seed quality while promoting development of seed supply. It should also follow international norms, to the extent permitted as conditions in Afghanistan develop.
This Law should include Seed Certification, Seed Testing, and Plant Quarantine in addition to setting standards of seed quality. It should operate in a manner which permits implementing seed quality control and plant quarantine by a single agency. An effective implementation agency must be created, to promote seed quality in a supporting, educational approach while policing quality of seed offered to farmers.
XII.11.1.3. Investment Promotion Law
Afghanistan will require significant levels of assistance from abroad. In order to attract investment (which is the key to development), Afghanistan should enact an Investment Promotion Law, with an adequate Implementing Agency. This Law should provide the maximum possible incentives for investment in priority areas in Afghanistan, and should be enacted as quickly as possible.
XII.11.1.4. Development Assistance Plan and Sponsors
A coordinated Agricultural/Economic Development Plan should be prepared, with extensive involvement of experienced international specialists. International Development Assistance Donors should be involved, and their financial, technical, operational, etc., assistance obtained as quickly as possible. With ICARDA's broad range of professional experience and capabilities, it should be beneficial to obtain the financial support of an International Development Assistance Donor to support long-term involvement of ICARDA in a range of agricultural development areas in Afghanistan.
Policy-level technical assistance and support must be provided, to help ensure that the program implemented is complete, efficient, and suitable for Afghanistan's conditions.
In providing technical assistance, it may be done "piece-meal" by providing TA separately for each project. However, it may be more efficient and effective to have a single agency (such as ICARDA) provide all long- and short-term TA under a single contract agreement. This will enable one consultancy specialization to serve more than one need/agency, and will significantly economize costs.
XII.11.1.5. Plant Variety Protection Law
Much of the improved genetic materials of benefit to Afghanistan will come from countries and agencies where ownership of varieties and genetic materials is protected by law. In order to protect such legitimate ownership in Afghanistan and attract their development assistance into Afghanistan, a Plant Variety Protection Law, in accordance with UPOV standards, should be enacted. An effective implementation agency must be established.
XII.11.2. ACTIONS AT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE LEVEL
XII.11.2.1. Technical Assistance and Facilities Development
A long-term agreement to provide technical assistance, equipment, financial assistance, etc., should be entered into as soon as possible. Involving a funding donor to enable technical and operational assistance by an experienced agency such as ICARDA may maximize benefits from the investment.
Competent long-term and short-term technical assistance must be provided for each activity.
XII.11.2.2. Technical and Market-Oriented Organization of MOAL
Internationally and within Afghanistan, conditions have changed significantly since the beginning of the conflict period. It will be of great benefit to Afghanistan and its rural economy if the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MOAL) re-organizes itself to reflect today's needs, rather than to "pick up where it left off" some 20 years ago.
The organizational structure of the MOAL should strongly reflect the need to develop a market-oriented rural economy, with farmers producing for the market in addition to producing family needs.
Assistance of the ICARDA Technical Assistance Team should be obtained in setting up the most-effective organizational structure of the MOAL.
XII.11.2.3. National Seed Law Implementation Unit and Seed Testing System
Within the MOAL, a unit to implement the National Seed Law should be established, staffed, equipped and funded in such a manner that it is administratively separated from the crop-oriented programs, in order to prevent biased approaches.
A network/system of implementing offices and seed testing laboratories (including one National Seed Health Testing Laboratory) should be established.
The Plant Quarantine system should be incorporated into this system, to make full use of the technical facilities and staff.
The ICARDA Technical Assistance Team should be involved in establishing and operating this system. Operating technical assistance should be maintained within this system for at least 5 years.
XII.11.2.4. National Seed Certification System
A National Seed Certification system should be established, with adequate technical assistance from ICARDA.
The Certification system should be incorporated into the Seed Law and Seed Testing Agency, for operating cost efficiency.
XII.11.2.5. Effective Extension Promotion System
An extensive national Agricultural Extension program should be established, with well-trained operating staff who can reach and serve each village. These staff must be backed up at the Province and National levels with adequate support in technical, educational and operational materials and supplies.
The Extension program should have extensive technical and operational assistance, from or through an agency such as ICARDA.
XII.11.2.6. "Informal" Seed Sector Assistance Program
Most of the seed used in Afghanistan will, for the foreseeable future, come from the "informal" seed sector. To enable the informal sector to provide better seed which can help increase per-jerib crop production, an extensive Extension-educational-type program should be rapidly initiated, to help organize better "informal" seed production in all villages.
This seed system should have intensive technical assistance and support from ICARDA.
XII.11.2.7. Strengthening Variety Testing and Development
An operating unit within the MOAL should be established and/or strengthened for variety testing and development for each field and horticultural crop which is of economic significance.
These units should have close working support from technical assistance specialists from ICARDA. ICARDA can also provide information, seed and working assistance from the CGIAR system.
XII.11.2.8. Breeder and Foundation Seed Unit
A separate unit (separate, for operating efficiency and minimal interference with breeding and testing work) should be established to produce, maintain and supply Breeder and Foundation seed to support seed production of the better varieties.
This unit should have strong technical support and assistance from ICARDA.
XII.11.2.9. Agri-Business Development and Support
To meet today's needs, the MOAL should be organized so as to focus attention and support on developing small-scale agro-businesses which can provide additional sources of income for rural families, attract business-business investment, and support the operation of small-scale enterprises.
The ICARDA Seed Unit is widely experienced in identifying business opportunities, setting up/operating/managing small-scale seed and business-business enterprises. It should provide technical assistance to this activity for a number of years.
XII.11.3. ACTIONS AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL
XII.11.3.1. Training and Establishing Faculty
With the hiatus of many years of conflict, faculty and technical staff of the universities are depleted, and will be even further reduced as staff reaches retirement age. A survey of the current status and needs of universities is needed. Then, a program is needed to provide overseas graduate training for staff required to maintain/establish the needed educational programs.
XII.11.3.2. Technical Assistance
The program of training university faculty, and establishing and conducting the necessary curricula, needs extensive technical assistance. This may be provided through a single master contract for technical assistance, such as with ICARDA, which has extensive experience in providing practical training and working with staff in developing agro-economies.
XII.11.3.3. Establishing Facilities
The needs for facilities to conduct the required educational curricula should be assessed, and modern facilities and equipment obtained and installed. This can be most effectively done as an overall program, through the technical assistance program established with ICARDA.
XII.11.4. ACTIONS AT EXTENSION LEVEL
XII.11.4.1. Establishing a Suitable Extension Program
An Agricultural Extension Program must be established and operated to provide direct assistance to families in all villages. This assistance should be wide-ranging, from nutrition and health, to crops, seed, and marketing.
XII.11.4.2. Technical/Operational Assistance
A technical assistance program should be established to help initiate, equip, fund and operate the Agricultural Extension program. This could most effectively be done through an overall technical assistance agreement with ICARDA. ICARDA's current work involves major "extension-type" activities, and ICARDA'S broad range of contacts would enable it to obtain the best specialists available, without being restricted to a single existing program.
XII.11.4.3. Extension Program for "Informal" Seed
One of the most important components of the Agricultural Extension must be to develop and work directly with the village "informal" seed production system. This should be staffed with trained Extensionists who have the necessary support to work constantly and directly with their assigned villages.
This program urgently needs technical assistance and guidance from ICARDA, which has trained and experienced staff.
This program of developing a good "informal" seed system is so important that it should initially be operated on a pilot basis by ICARDA Village Liaison staff until the Extension program can take it over.
XII.11.4.4. Extension Crop Production Improvement Program
The major work of the Extension program will be with crops, in improving crop management and handling, and in demonstrating and supplying seed of the better varieties. This should be incorporated into the Extension program for developing the "informal" seed supply, as this will be the primary vehicle for transmitting crop improvements to farmers.
XII.11.5. ACTIONS AT CROP RESEARCH LEVEL
Crop research work should include crop production and management, and be an integral part of the work of the MOAL.
XII.11.5.1. Strengthening Crop Research Program
Team of MOAL and ICARDA specialists evaluate the crop research and development programs of the MOAL, and develop a plan for staff, staff training, equipment, and facilities as required to accomplish the essential tasks.
XII.11.5.2. Variety Trials
Working with/through Extension and ICARDA program to improve the "informal" seed supply, variety trials should be established in all production and cropping conditions. In addition to use as an essential part of the research and variety development program, these trials should be utilized for field days and demonstrations to farmers.
XII.11.5.3. Working Agreements with International Centers
In addition to technical assistance, a contract should be initiated with ICARDA to bring to Afghanistan the suitable systems, genetic materials, and work of the International Centers of the CGIAR system. This will provide maximum technical support to the Afghan variety development work, at minimum cost and time.
XII.11.5.4. Variety Development
Variety development programs should be initiated for all important crops. These should be based on genetic materials obtained through ICARDA from the CGIAR centers, and on collected genetic materials from Afghanistan, especially those now maintained in the extensive germ plasm collection of ICARDA.
Technical assistance from ICARDA should be maintained for this research and development program.
XII.11.6. ACTIONS AT THE FARMER LEVEL
XII.11.6.1. Improved "Informal" Seed Production
The most important action at farmer level is to develop and assist local village groups in producing higher-quality "informal" planting seed. The procedure outlined elsewhere in this report should be followed, and put into practice urgently.
ICARDA village liaison officers can plan and conduct this program, in collaboration with MOAL, until the MOAL Extension programs are sufficiently developed so as to handle them.
XII.11.6.2. Crop Variety Demonstrations
Field demonstration plots comparing different varieties should be carried out in as many locations as possible, within each area of specific cropping conditions. These demonstrations should be used as the basis for field days and demonstrations to farmers, with Extensionists and specialists to advise farmers.
ICARDA should provide technical assistance in planning, conducting and summarizing results of these demonstrations. Until the MOAL programs are sufficiently developed so as to handle these demonstrations, ICARDA local staff could actually conduct the demonstrations, in collaboration with the MOAL.
XII.11.6.3. Crop Production Demonstrations
Field demonstrations on crop production and management techniques for crops grown under different conditions should be conducted to (1) gain information on crop responses to different practices under different cropping conditions, and (2) to demonstrate better methods to local farmers.
As with other demonstrations, ICARDA should provide technical assistance in planning, conducting and summarizing results of these demonstrations. Until the MOAL programs are sufficiently developed so as to handle these demonstrations, ICARDA local staff could actually conduct the demonstrations, in collaboration with the MOAL.
XII.11.6.4. Improved Seed Demonstrations
One of the easiest crop management practices to demonstrate is the use of seed of higher quality and varietal purity. Field demonstrations should be conducted, either separately or combined with variety and production management techniques, in different production zones.
As with other demonstrations, ICARDA should provide technical assistance in planning, conducting and summarizing results of these demonstrations. Until the MOAL programs are sufficiently developed so as to handle these demonstrations, ICARDA local staff could actually conduct the demonstrations, in collaboration with the MOAL.
XII.11.6.5. Seed/Input Supply Farmer Cooperatives
In organizing village programs to produce and supply improved "informal" seed, the same groups (based on the village Shurahs) can be extended into cooperatives which can locate, procure and supply (with intensive assistance from the local Extensionist and/or ICARDA village liaison officer) other inputs and farm family needs, and help in marketing any crops produced locally for the market.
VII.11.7. TIME SCHEDULE OF A PLAN OF ACTION
The more important activities are outlined in the following charts of time-scheduled actions in an Action Plan. For brevity and lack of time in this initial assessment review, detailed components of each activity are not included. These should be included (i.e., list sub-activities, and sub-sub-activities, under each major activity) in individual project plans and work schedules.
Rehabilitating and upgrading Afghanistan's seed and crop improvement situation will require (as discussed herein) a large number of activities. Some are urgent and almost pre-conditions, and should be immediately implemented, in the short-term. Others are equally important, but can be implemented only following other actions. Some, although their implementation should be initiated quickly, will require a longer period to complete, or will require longer support. Their development must be over the medium- or long-term.
A realistic Plan of Action must be implemented in phases, to include activities in the short-term, medium-term, and long-term. It would be most beneficial to Afghanistan to have some overall coordination and continuity in their implementation, by preparing an Overall Plan of Action, and having the same agency coordinate the program over the short-, medium-, and long-terms.
The following time-schedule charts show:
Implementation on such a schedule pre-supposes continuity in support, technical assistance, and the coordinating development-assistance agency. These activities could be implemented separately and piece-meal, but, again, this would lose time- and cost-effectiveness.
PHASE I IMPLEMENTATION TIME-SCHEDULE FOR MAJOR ACTIVITIES (PDF File 70Kb)
PHASE II IMPLEMENTATION TIME-SCHEDULE FOR MAJOR ACTIVITIES (PDF File 63Kb)
PHASE
III IMPLEMENTATION TIME-SCHEDULE FOR MAJOR ACTIVITIES (PDF
File 64Kb)