FASL - Food-security and Agricultural Sustainability for Livelihood improvement


Poverty and food insecurity are widespread all over Afghanistan and even more accentuated after the political change after the takeover of the Taliban in August 2021. Therefore the support of the poorest farmers in the most remote areas by improving and securing their livelihoods is crucial in order to strenghten sustainable natural resources management and the communities’ resilience. It is interwoven with the humanitarian appeal of Aga Khan Foundation supported by Switzerland. 

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Afghanistan
Agriculture et sécurité alimentaire
Changement climatique & environnement
nothemedefined
Sécurité alimentaire des ménages
Développement agricole
Réduction des risques de catastrophes
01.01.2022 - 31.12.2025
CHF  9’072’500
Contexte

With the takeover of the Taliban on August 2021, the country faces an uncertain transitional period. 

Already prior to this date the population was suffering from a triple crisis of conflict, Covid-19 and drought. By October 2021 nearly 19 million of people (47% of the population) were highly food insecure and dependent on humanitarian aid.

Afghanistan is carachterised by weak community-based institutions, high frequency of natural disasters (mainly due to the negative impact of climate change), high population growth, protracted crisis and internal displacement. All these factors are the main drivers of food insecurity.

In remote mountainous districts, the situation is further critical due to short growing season, poor  linkage between farmers and markets, small landholdings, lack of proper water management system, poor quality and limited access to crop inputs, lack of access to finance, and excessive use of natural resources.

The lack of economic opportunities in remote districts, along with the loss of jobs due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have further adversely affected the households’ income level. Besides, food prices continue to increase due to the economic and financial crisis. All these factors have led to increased debt levels, as families continue to borrow money to meet their basic needs.

The most remote areas which were already suffering from poverty are now at risk of loosing their food and livelihoods security.

Objectifs

The overall goal is to improve the food security and livelihood of poor smallholder farm households through increasing agricultural production and productivity, managing natural resources sustainably, and building resilience against natural disasters.

The FASL project is proposed at a crucial moment of Afghanistan’s modern history, where the country is facing the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. In this perspective, through this project Switzerland is taking concrete action to confirm its continued solidarity towards the Afghan population.

Groupes cibles The project will identify and support the poorest and most food-insecure smallholder farm households within 31 districts in 7 northern and central provinces (Badakhshan, Baghlan, Daykundi, Kunduz, Parwan, Samangan, and Takhar).
Effets à moyen terme

Outcome 1: Smallholder farm households are better represented in the community institutions through self-help groups (SHGs);

Outcome 2: Smallholder farm households mantain their agriculture production, productivity and food security;

Outcome 3: Smallholder farm households sustainably manage their natural resources and become more resilient.

Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

Output 1.1: Community savings and access to finance are improved

Output 1.2: SHGs are established

Output 2.1: Agricultural lands of smallholder farm households are developed

Output 2.2: Capacity, knowledge, and tools for agricultural production are improved

Output 2.3: Productive assets of smallholder farm households are developed

Output 2.4: Employable skills are imparted to women, men and youth

Output 3.1: Pro-Poor Community based Natural Resources Management (NRM) plans are developed

Output 3.2: Natural disaster mitigation activities are implemented


Principaux résultats antérieurs:   Due to rapid political change and instability, data collection is not feasible before the project implementation. Baselines will be established within the first six months of the project through collection of information at household level. 


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
ONG internationale ou étrangère
  • Agha Khan Foundation


Autres partenaires
The Aga Khan Foundation 
Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs

Synergies with Aga Khan Foundation Emergency Humanitarian Appeal for Afghanistan supported by Switzerland.

Synergies within the Aga Khan Development Network: the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat , the First Micro-Finance Bank  and the University of Central Asia

Switzerlang has a long experience in Afghanistan in both the agricultural and natural resources domains. Hence, FASL is in line/complements other projects promoting the improvement of the livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations, as well as a sustainable use of natural resources such as the Rangeland Management, the Sustainable Livelihood and Social Development and the Agricultural Services and Livelihood Improvement projects.

Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    9’072’500 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    3’805’000 Budget de l'Organisation CHF    0 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF   9’072’500 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   28’000’000