Improve Rice Variety Increases Yields

The CNFA-sponsored FSC in Laghman Province has been instrumental in improving the province’s agriculture sector by providing farmers with high-quality varieties of rice seed that were previously unavailable due to a poor distribution network of agricultural inputs. By expanding its distribution of quality inputs into rural areas, the Laghman FSC is growing as a business and transforming agricultural production in the region. Sales from the Laghman store have exceeded $2.9 million since it was opened in October, 2008. To date, the FSC has trained over 2,781 individuals in agricultural sector productivity, and benefits a total of 4,360 farm households. Since its creation, the Laghman FSC has created 21 full-time jobs.

Abdul Qadeer, a local rice farmer who purchased and planted a new seed variety from the Laghman FSC reported that the new seed yielded 520 kg more rice per hectare than the traditional variety he previously used – a 25% increase in productivity. News of his increased productivity traveled far, and Mr. Qadeer has since referred many farmers to the Laghman FSC where they are purchasing the improved seed for next season.

Because of the rice seed’s increasing popularity in the area, the Laghman FSC is planning to multiply this variety of seed in an effort to reach more farmers. In conjunction with the provision of inputs and machinery, the FSCs also offer product demonstrations and technical assistance to farmers in an effort to better educate them about nuanced agricultural strategies.

Finally, by assisting farmers in the sale of their crops, the FSC has engaged in an array of output marketing services in which it has signed contracts with 250 local farmers to buy the farmers’ production of the multiplied rice seed.

By facilitating distribution of quality products, improving production, and supporting market linkages throughout the value chain, CNFA, is affecting a noticeable change in rural farming communities throughout Afghanistan.