Seeds of Change: Restoring Agriculture and Dignity in Rural Afghanistan

Years of conflict, severe drought, and lack of access to agricultural resources have left deep scars on the land. Crops fail due to the lack of seeds and fertilisers. Irrigation canals have dried up, and markets are distant and difficult to access. For many, farming is no longer a reliable source of income; it’s a daily struggle for survival.

Mohammad Ali (65) a farmer and community leader lives with his 3 sons and four daughters in Qol-e-Adam, Malistan district. “We have plenty of land, but without enough water and no cold storage to keep our crops fresh, much of what we grow goes to waste. Many of us don’t have good seeds or fertilisers. Even feeding our families can become a challenge,” says Mohammad Ali.

We are supporting communities to live a life of dignity

In cooperation with our Alliance2015 partner Cesvi and funds from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), we are helping communities reclaim their lands, and strengthen their harvests and livelihoods. The project is restoring food production, empowering families (especially women and youth), and supporting host communities, internally displaced people, and returnees in preparing for future shocks, and enabling them to live with dignity.

Through this project we have provided:

• 190 farmers with 9,500 kgs of wheat seeds, 9,500 kgs of Urea, and 4,750 kgs of DAP fertilisers in 36 villages in the Malistan and Ajristan districts.
  
• 95 women with kitchen garden kits containing five varieties of improved vegetable seeds, and tools such as shovels, hand sprinklers, spades, gloves, NPK fertiliser, and hooks.
  
• Pre- and post-cultivation training for farmers in modern techniques to increase crop quality and yields.
  
• Financial literacy, market linkage, and marketing training for farmers, helping them better manage their income and connect to local markets.

“I received 50 kgs of wheat seeds, 25 kgs of DAP, and 50 kgs of Urea, along with training before and after planting. People in Need’s team visited our farms, assessed our needs, and provided the assistance we needed. They are helping us grow better crops than ever before,” says Mohammad Ali.

Empowering communities through integrated support

Within this project we are conducting a range of activities that connect livelihoods, clean water access, and income opportunities.

As part of this project:

• 100 community members have been employed through cash-for-work activities, working on vital infrastructure such as canal cleaning and rehabilitation.
  
• 13 small irrigation canals, 10 karezes, and 187 drinking water wells are being rehabilitated; these improve access to irrigation for farmers and ensure clean drinking water.
  
• 190 families have received either poultry kits or small ruminant kits, helping them diversify their sources of income and improve food security.
  
• We launched an animal vaccination campaign to protect livestock health. Alongside raising awareness on the importance of vaccination, we provided treatment and vaccines for 15,000 animals.
  
• We conducted hygiene awareness sessions for almost 3,000 individuals in both Malistan and Ajristan, as well as distributed hygiene kits for 3,000 people to promote safe and clean-living environments.
  

“Many educated women remained at home; young girls face emotional distress due to bans on education and social participation. Now, with kitchen gardens, poultry and livestock activities, they are active again, growing vegetables and regaining their confidence,” says Mohammad Ali.

Our support has had an economic impact on the community. “In these districts, where job opportunities are limited and migration to countries like Iran, Pakistan, or Turkey is common, such interventions have proven highly effective. They provide reasons for young people and families to stay, to invest in their land, their homes, and their futures,” describes Mohammad Ali.

Finally, Mohammad Ali thinks about farmers as messengers of peace and prosperity: “We care for the earth and protect the climate. Life is not only about conflict. It is about hope, dignity, and opportunity. The world is one big family, and we must care for each other. Nothing lasts forever, so let’s be kind and generous while we still can.”