1. USG Agricultural Assistance to Afghanistan
U.S. Agricultural Strategy in Afghanistan
USG Agricultural Assistance to Afghanistan
February 2011
Jim Butler, Senior Agriculture Coordinator, U.S. Embassy, Kabul ( )

2. Importance of Agricultural Intervention
The U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, retired Army Lieutenant General Karl Eikenberry, gave this answer on National Public Radio to a question put to U.S. military field commanders:
“If you had a choice right now of getting 100 more infantrymen or ten agricultural experts, nine times out of ten the answer would be ten agricultural experts.”
Bowman, Tom. “US Envoy to Afghanistan Has Seen War Up Close”. Morning Edition, May 22, Retrieved on 9 June 2009, from:

3. USG Agricultural Assistance Strategy for Afghanistan
Increase confidence of Afghans in their government
Increase MAIL capacity to deliver services.
Increase Agricultural-sector jobs and incomes
Increase agricultural productivity,
Regenerate agribusiness,
Rehabilitate watersheds and improve irrigation infrastructure.

4. Alignment of USG and MAIL
U.S. Agricultural Strategy in Afghanistan
Alignment of USG and MAIL
MAIL Objectives
USG Objectives
Agricultural Production
& Marketing
Increase Agricultural Productivity
Economic Regeneration
Regenerate Agribusiness
Water & Natural
Resources Management
Rehabilitate Watersheds
and Improve Irrigation
This slide illustrates how the U.S. Agricultural Assistance Strategy for Afghanistan ties to the Ministry of Agricultural, Irrigation, and Livestock (MAIL) strategic priorities (as outlined in the National Agricultural Development Framework)
[walk through the slide]
Change Management
Increase MAIL Capacity to
Deliver Services to
Rural Farmers and Herders
Jim Butler, Senior Agriculture Coordinator, U.S. Embassy, Kabul ( )

5. A Whole-of-Government Effort
Example:
Objective 1.3: Rehabilitate watersheds and improve irrigation infrastructure
USAID
$20 M Afghanistan Water, Agriculture and Technology Transfer (AWATT) Project
ADTs
Irrigation & On-Farm Water Management
USDA
Embedded NRM Advisor and Technical Training at MAIL; USDA Technical Team in Capacity Building
Interagency Agricultural Policy Working Group

6. US Civ-Mil Contributing Actors
U.S. Agricultural Strategy in Afghanistan
US Civ-Mil Contributing Actors
US Forces - Afghanistan
CERP
USACE
ADT
INL
US Embassy Kabul: Econ & Border
US Agricultural Assistance to Afghanistan (USAAA)
USDA
The USAAA involves an unprecedented array of U.S. civ-mil partners ranging from the traditional actors such as USAID and USDA to the extraordinary such as the National Guard Agribusiness Development Team (ADT). In addition, INL directs substantial program to promote alternative farming to illicit poppy production. A significant portion of CERP funds are directed to agricultural projects.
USAID
OIEE
OAG
OEG
Jim Butler, Senior Agriculture Coordinator, U.S. Embassy, Kabul ( )

7. Major Ag Sectors and Interventions
U.S. Agricultural Strategy in Afghanistan
Major Ag Sectors and Interventions
Wheat, Grains &Oilseeds
Water
Export Crops
Rangeland & Livestock
Natural Resource Mgmt
Research and Extension
Land Law, Policy and Management
Agriculture Credit
An effective agricultural development strategy needs to address the above mentioned major sectors of the Afghan agriculture. In so doing at least four major cross sectoral interventions are needed.
To build a sustainable research and extension system that propagates best farming practices in Afghan context to Afghan farmers.
Issues related to land title and tenure need to be addressed so that long term investment can be attracted to agriculture.
Infusion of credit in the agricultural sector is needed to improve its financial liquidity, a necessary step towards greater marketization and economic progress in the sector
Institutional capacity building of the public and private actors at the national, provincial and district levels
Institutional Capacity
Jim Butler, Senior Agriculture Coordinator, U.S. Embassy, Kabul ( )

8. Recent Success Stories
U.S. Agricultural Strategy in Afghanistan
Recent Success Stories
ADTs
USAID
USDA
Several ADTs have been working to create a formal and accredited education curriculum in agriculture for young Afghans.
Inauguration of a Farm Mechanization Program for mid-size farmers in a ceremony at Badam Bagh farm on February 6, 2011.
Training for 90 MAIL officials, ADTs, PRTs, USAID and USDA officials, as well as local NGOs in watershed rehabilitation and management.
High schools have been identified in Khost and Laghman
USAID donated 600 two-wheel tractors
INDIANA ADT : 
The Khost Province Director of Education yesterday personally, while at Shaikh Zayed University, stated that Khost is "supposed to get an Agriculture High School this year". He has been lobbying the Ministry of Education for the school to be established.
The schools for this project selected by Baht Noor, Khost Province Director of Education:
2 in Matun, 2 in Mandozai, 1 madrassa in Tani district and 1 girls school (Be Be Halima Girls School).
The Ag Faculty of Shaikh Zayed prove themselves effective in providing teacher training as evidenced by this project so far.
Kansas ADT:
Working to establish an agricultural educational system to extend the AG knowledge base in Laghman Province.
It’s objectives are to educate and graduate young students with a broad curriculum in agricultural training. Build an outreach system with these graduates to share and spread improved AG technologies.
Jim Butler, Senior Agriculture Coordinator, U.S. Embassy, Kabul ( )

9. Transition to Development
Challenges and Opportunities:
Education and training for Afghans—U.S., Afghan, Indian and Pakistan universities. A cooperative or virtual university? Are scholarships available at LGU’s? Dutch model—ag high schools.
Pre deployment training for U.S. Forces—NGB teams, DoD personnel, special operations training. Learning from all universities providing pre deployment  training.
Knowledge management—a link to a university or consortium to assist military and civilian staff with information concerning ag issues in Afghanistan. Water projects, value chain programs, leadership and youth programs, etc. Both technical and operational information.
Future civilian staffing needs—“ doers or educators?”
Is the Afghan model transferable to other countries?