Agriculture and food security

In Afghanistan, Switzerland supports some of the poorest rural communities. Through its interventions, Switzerland contributes to improved agricultural production, to strengthened rural economic development and to sustainably managed natural resources.

In 2016, over 60’000 people have made use of new economic opportunities and improved their livelihoods. Increased agricultural production has been achieved through to the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructures and the introduction of improved varieties and production techniques.

Income from agricultural production and short-term employment has had a positive impact on household food security, since people were able to buy more and better food. Nutrition was also improved by the small-scale production of vegetables, poultry and eggs.

Thanks to Swiss support, farmers in remote mountainous areas take up previously unknown technologies like hedgerows and terracing and expand pasture management and reforestation. In 2016, new Natural Resource Management (NRM) interventions protected over 780 ha of agricultural land. Livelihood interventions focus on the provinces of Takhar, Bamyan, Khost and Paktya.

Farmer working in a maize field in Nicaragua
Farmer working in a maize field in Nicaragua ©SDC

In many developing countries, agriculture plays a highly important role in terms of food security and is often a significant contributor to the national economy. By supporting farmers in the areas of production, marketing and the sustainable use of resources, the SDC is making a substantial contribution to poverty reduction.

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