Kunar FSC Provides Family with Livelihood Opportunity

Mohammad Nader worked hard as a farmer but saw little return. Working for a local landowner, no matter how high his production, he was required to share half of his harvest with the owner. As the war descended upon Afghanistan, Nader immigrated to Pakistan in hopes of a better life.

In 2001, when conditions in Afghanistan improved, Nader returned home. Due to the poor economic conditions, however, jobs were scarce. He decided to become a farmer in order to feed his growing family. Nader’s oldest son, Wali, also assisted him with the farming, since there was not enough money to send him to school. Nader’s three younger sons were able to go to school, but also assisted with farm duties. However, the farm’s small size coupled with poor irrigation and other production constraints limited Nader’s earnings.

The Kunar Farm Service Center (FSC) learned of their plight, and extended a helping hand by offering employment to some of the family members. Wali was able to return to his family, and he and his father were hired to operate the FSC wheat threshers. Paid in-kind, they earned 420kg of wheat per week. Once, as a gift for their honesty and hard work, local farmers collectively offered an additional 350kg of wheat to the family. Nader’s own small farm also produced 840 kg of wheat during the year.

Today, Nader and his family are content with the significant improvement in their livelihood and quality of life, which they attribute to the Kunar FSC and its willingness to provide machinery services to local farmers, employment to their family, and assistance in increasing local farmer’s production.