ROME: A new grand of USD 80 million from the US is a key step-forward in the work of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to support farmers and agriculture in Afghanistan since  they struggle to produce food, build resilience and achieve food security against the backdrop of continuing drought and deep economic crisis.

By encouraging more nutrient-dense food production, promoting environmentally sound and climate-smart agricultural practises, and supporting the diversification of household incomes through the adoption of new agricultural practises, the five-year contribution from USAID supports an ambitious and urgent set of emergency interventions that simultaneously meet farmers' immediate needs and help build healthier, more climate-smart and resilient livelihoods.
All of these initiatives will assist increase local food production, create employment and income, and energise faltering rural markets.

"Agriculture is the backbone of Afghanistan's economy, people's livelihoods, food production and food security. Nearly 50% of the population experiences severe food insecurity, with daily hunger reaching over 70% in many rural regions. The significant assistance provided by USAID will enable Afghan farmers to start looking beyond the current crisis and laying the groundwork for long-term recovery "said FAO representative in Afghanistan Richard Trenchard.

In the midst of an ongoing drought and a severe economic crisis, FAO is putting into action a groundbreaking humanitarian programme that will assist more than 9 million people this year in all 34 provinces.

The new funds from USAID will be put to use in eight provinces across the nation: Nimroz, Ghor, Daykundi, Jawzjan, Badakhstan, Nuristan, Paktika, and Prawan. According to the most recent IPC assessment, all of these areas are thought to be dealing with acute food insecurity.

The main results will be an increase in the production and processing of nutrient-dense foods, a boost in the availability of high-quality seeds and other farm inputs as well as extension services, an increase in the production and processing of nutrient-dense foods, an improvement in smallholder farmers' economic resilience to shocks through rural income diversification, and an interactive information approach to aid locals in improving crop harvesting, food processing, and storage practises.

Significant environmental benefits will also be achieved through climate-smart pastures, afforestation, river bank management and reducing soil erosion.

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