Weekly half-hour programs on agricultural topics are being produced and distributed to radio stations throughout Afghanistan. These programs are made with high production standards and a strong emphasis on providing farming families with useful information. Kabul communications associate, Enayat Safi, is collaborating with Afghanistan radio stations for future productions as well as paying site visits to the provinces to interview farmers in the field. When Safi introduced himself to local farmers on a recent trip to Kunduz, they were familiar with the programs and delighted to be interviewed. The feedback from farmers and provincial radio stations has been very positive.

The focus is currently on production and getting radio stations to devote regular airtime to agricultural topics. ICARDA hopes to expand programming to the new private stations in development soon.

In August, the Ag Radio project will install equipment and provide training to the Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture Communications Office for Radio. Two of the Ministry communications representatives participated in a workshop held in April. Their facility formerly produced programs for radio and television before the offices were looted. New equipment will be provided for digital production and four staff members will be trained in editing and production using the new equipment.

Some of the radio program scripts are being submitted in both Dari and Pashto for publication in newspapers and magazines in Afghanistan. Publications include:

• Hewad Daily
• Irada Daily
• Sahar Daily
• Wahdat Daily
• Keleed Biweekly

General Communications
A press release on the reopening of agricultural stations in Afghanistan was issued to media outlets in the United States and in Kabul and Dr. Nasrat Wassimi, executive coordinator for the Future Harvest Consortium was interviewed by Liberty Radio in Afghanistan.

Several publications have been translated for distribution to Afghan farmers, such as information on the Future Harvest Consortium and a five-part series in Dari and Pashto on "Healthy Food for the Poor" which was published in the Hewad Daily - and is being reprinted in other provincial newspapers.

Press releases include:

• "Wheat Crop in Afghanistan Saved from Sunn Pest Infestation," coproduced with the Central Asian Development Group.
• "Agricultural Research Stations Connect Afghan Farmers to New Crops, New Markets and Higher Incomes."

Topically Focused Reports:
Afghan Apprentices Learn Water Management Skills
Raising Crops by Raising Skills: Building Human Capacity in Afghan Agriculture

ICARDA's (www.icarda.org) mission is to improve the welfare of people and alleviate poverty through research and training in dry areas of the developing world by increasing production, productivity, and nutritional quality of food, while preserving and enhancing the natural resource base. ICARDA is a Future Harvest Center.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) is a strategic alliance of 62 members and 16 Future Harvest Centers that mobilizes cutting-edge science to promote sustainable development by reducing hunger and poverty, improving human nutrition and health, and protecting the environment

The Future Harvest Consortium to Rebuild Agriculture in Afghanistan is a multi-partner effort led by the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). More information on the Future Harvest Consortium to Rebuild Agriculture in Afghanistan can be found at: www.futureharvest.org

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the government agency providing U.S. economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years (www.USAID.gov).