Horticultural products have traditionally accounted for over 60% of Afghanistan's exported products. During the years of conflict, entire orchards and irrigation systems were destroyed and four years of drought decimated what remained. Many trees were cut down and burnt for fuel.

Rehabilitation of the horticultural sector will provide high-value crops for smallholding Afghan farmers, increase opportunities for value-added production and expand export markets. Fruit and nut trees will take time to multiply, distribute and to reach maturity for

Horticultural improvement is particularly
appropriate for Afghanistan for many reasons:

• According to FAO, 11% of horticultural farms were headed by women in 1999
• Fruit and nuts provide essential nutrients for women and children
• Horticulture is labor intensive, providing jobs for returning refugees
• Intercropping vegetables with fruit trees provides optimal use of scarce water
• High-value yields make best use of small landholdings
• Added-value products like dried fruits create additional markets
• Dried fruit and nuts are relatively easy to transport
• Gross income per unit area is 3 - 7 times higher than for wheat
• Afghanistan is the center of diversity for several species of global significance: carrot, radish, cherry plum, apricot, peach, pear, apple, walnut, pistachio, fig, grape, pomegranate, melon and almond.

The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) is working with USAID/ICARDA to revive the horticultural sector and preserve the unique and valuable genetic resources of Afghanistan.

Assessment of Two Primary Horticultural Crops:
Almonds and Pistachios
Almond and pistachio production techniques were assessed and a collection effort yielded 67 varieties of almond. Almost all almond orchards were irrigated with little or no application of fertilizers or pesticides. Pruning of trees was not observed. Most of the orchards grew several different varieties. The most promising horticultural genotypes have been selected and planted in nurseries at agricultural stations in 5 Provinces.

The collections were evaluated using market-strengthening criteria including: current market value, shell and kernel color (lighter is preferred for both), yield, double kernelling (not desirable), shell hardness (paper shells are preferred), nut quality, early bearing (second or third year after planting), late flowering, self-fertilizing, and size of kernel.

Natural forest stands of pistachio trees still cover thousands of hectares in northern Afghanistan. They are all of the Pistacia vera variety which is highly coveted by export markets for its taste and unparalleled rich green color.

Pistachio is a dioecious species requiring both male and female trees for fertility. One pistachio accession was recorded by the surveyors as belonging to a monoecious tree (remains of male flowers and nuts found on the same tree). This finding, if confirmed, would be the first ever found in the world and very important for the pistachio industry.

The assessment of horticultural techniques in Afghanistan revealed that farmers would gain added benefits by raising honey bees for more effective pollination and honey production. In many cases, because no fertilizer, irrigation, pesticides are applied, nuts are truly organically produced and their high prices reflect this fact (especially in the Indian market).

For more information:
Dr Stephano Padulosi, IPGRI (spadulosi@CGIAR.ORG)
Dr Nasrat Wassimi, ICARDA (n.wassimi@CGIAR.ORG)